The Āti Awa Toa Hauora Partnership Board is raising concerns about proposed alcohol law changes that could restrict who is allowed to object to new liquor licences.

Under proposed amendments to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill, people would only be able to object to alcohol licence applications if they live, work, or own property within 1 kilometre of the proposed premises.

The Board says alcohol harm is not confined to geographic boundaries.

“Our suburbs, towns and communities are not neat 1km squares on a map. Whānau move through schools, marae, sports clubs, workplaces and shared public spaces every day,” says board chair Hikitia Ropata.

“It could mean a family living more than 1km from their child’s school or whānau marae may no longer be able to object to a bottle store opening directly opposite.”

The Board says the proposed changes ignore the wider realities communities already face.

“Our Whaitua tool already shows clear inequities across our rohe - with some communities surrounded by multiple alcohol outlets, vape stores and limited access to healthcare, while other neighbourhoods experience far greater protection and healthier environments.”

“Those conditions are not accidental. They reflect years of policy and planning decisions that shape whether tamariki grow up surrounded by healthy opportunities - or surrounded by alcohol, vaping and other harmful environments.”

The Board says many people affected by alcohol availability may no longer have a meaningful voice under the proposed changes.

“The communities most affected by alcohol harm should not have less ability to speak about licensing decisions.”

The Board says higher deprivation communities already experience disproportionate alcohol-related harm and reducing community participation risks weakening protections for communities already carrying high levels of harm.

“We acknowledge the desire to streamline licensing processes, but replacing red tape with rigid bureaucratic boundaries is not the answer.”

The Board says Local Alcohol Policies and community participation remain important tools for protecting community wellbeing and reducing harm.

“Whaitua was created so communities can better understand the environments and systems shaping their health. Restricting who can object to alcohol outlets risks reducing community voice at the very time communities are gaining better tools to advocate for their wellbeing.”

“Alcohol harm doesn’t stop at 1km - and neither should community voice.”

The Board is encouraging communities to learn more about the proposed changes and make submissions before submissions close on Thursday 14 May 2026.

Submissions can be made via the New Zealand Parliament submissions page.

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