The amended Alcohol Control Bylaw has come into effect on Wednesday 1 October 2025. The bylaw, which regulates the consumption, possession and bringing of alcohol into public places across the district, introduces new alcohol ban areas around the City Centre and Kaiti.

In addition to existing ban areas in locations including the City Centre, Midway, Te Araroa, Ruatoria, Tokomaru Bay and Tolaga Bay, alcohol will be prohibited in public places include:

• east of the Taruheru River and the Cenotaph.

• the area around Kaiti Memorial Park, Kaiti Hub, and the area outside Kaiti School.

Director of Internal Partnerships and Protection, James Baty says the changes reflect community input with the aim of reducing alcohol-related harm and supporting community wellbeing.

“We’ve taken steps to strengthen the bylaw where people told us it was needed most. These changes will support safer public spaces in areas where families, tamariki and rangatahi gather,” he says.

Following a statutory review earlier this year, a total of 39 submissions were received during April 2025, with strong support shown for all proposals:

• 77% supported extending the City Centre ban area.
• 80% supported creating a new ban area in Kaiti.
• 82% supported updates to maps and format for clarity.

The Bylaw does not apply to licensed premises or the lawful transportation of unopened alcohol containers. Matters relating to alcohol licences are managed under the Local Alcohol Policy 2025.

New Zealand Police will continue to enforce ban, and breaches may result in a $250 infringement notice.

For further information and maps of alcohol ban areas, visit Council’s website.

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