Hon David Seymour
Minister for Regulation
Hon Nicole McKee
Associate Minister of Justice

A Bill is being introduced today to reform alcohol laws as part of the Government’s work to unleash New Zealanders and businesses from the stranglehold of red tape and support economic growth, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee and Regulation Minister David Seymour say.

“Alcohol is a legal product that the vast majority of New Zealanders consume responsibly. But over time the law regulating it has become increasingly complex, bureaucratic, and disconnected from the harms it is supposed to address,” says Mrs McKee.

“The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill is a necessary correction to make the licensing process fairer, make it easier to host events, and cut a heap of other red tape affecting everything from hairdressers to major concerts.

“Allowing licensed premises to remain open to televise significant events outside their normal licensed hours is a good example of how these changes will give people more freedom to enjoy their lives and provide significant benefits to the hospitality sector.

“What previously required campaigns by David Seymour for law changes in 2015, 2019, and 2023 for the Rugby World Cup will soon be able to be done by the Governor-General following a recommendation from the responsible Minister, without the need for any legislative change.”

Regulation Minister David Seymour says the changes make substantial improvements to the law that will later be complemented by the Ministry for Regulation’s review into the hospitality sector.

“The hospitality sector supports tens of thousands of jobs and contributes billions of dollars to our economy across hospitality, tourism, retail, manufacturing, and events,” says Seymour.

“The Ministry for Regulation is currently engaging with the sector on how we can make life easier for businesses. Already we’re seeing opportunities for practical improvements that reduce unnecessary compliance, improve consistency, and make the system easier to understand and operate within.

“In a free society adults should be trusted to make their own choices. The role of the law is to target harm, not to micromanage responsible behaviour.

“Among many great changes, I’m pleased to see this Bill adopts the recommendation of the Hairdressing and Barbering Regulatory Review to allow those businesses to serve their customers a drink without having to go through an excessive licensing process.

“We know there are additional changes the hospitality sector would like to see and many of these will be recommended following the Ministry for Regulation’s review.”

The sector will also have an opportunity to propose additional changes during the select committee process.

Key changes in the Bill include:

• Limiting objections to licence applications or renewals to only those living or working in the same council area, or within 1 kilometre of the proposed licensed premises.
• Giving licence applicants a right of reply to licensing objections to ensure a fairer process.
• Preventing licence renewals from being declined solely because a local alcohol policy has changed.
• Allowing clubs to apply for on-licences if they wish to serve the wider public.
• Allowing certain restaurants with on-site retail areas to sell alcohol for customers to take home.
• Streamlining special licence requirements to make it easier to host events.
• Creating a permanent mechanism allowing licensed premises to open and serve alcohol outside licensed hours to televise major events such as the Rugby World Cup.
• Exempting hairdressers and barbers from needing an on-licence to supply their customers a limited amount of alcohol such as a beer, glass of wine, or gin and tonic.
• Extending cellar door tasting provisions beyond wineries so other producers such as breweries and distilleries can charge for tastings without needing an on-licence.
• Allowing licensed premises to meet their legal obligations by stocking either low-alcohol or zero-alcohol drinks.
• Clarifying responsibilities for rapid alcohol delivery services to ensure alcohol is not delivered to underage or intoxicated persons.

Notes:

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill is expected to be available on Parliament’s website later today.

• A detailed explainer of the key policy changes is here.

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