Alcohol is one of the most commonly used drugs in Aotearoa and is a normal part of many social and cultural occasions.
While alcohol is often associated with celebration and connection, it can also contribute to significant harm, including injuries, road incidents, violence, chronic disease, and mental distress.
These harms aren’t experienced equally either – some communities carry a heavier burden of alcohol-related harm than others.
One of the biggest drivers of alcohol harm is availability – how easy alcohol is to access.
When alcohol is more available, people tend to drink more and communities experience more harm. In some neighbourhoods, bottle stores, bars, and supermarkets selling alcohol are heavily concentrated, sometimes close to schools, parks, marae and other community spaces.
So, who decides where alcohol can be sold, and can communities have a say?
Overview of Alcohol Regulation
In Aotearoa, alcohol sales are regulated through the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act.
The Act provides the national framework for how alcohol is sold and supplied. Its purpose is to minimise alcohol-related harm while ensuring alcohol is sold and supplied safely and responsibly.
It sets out the licensing process, who can participate in licensing decisions, and the factors that decision-makers must consider when deciding if an application should be granted.
Who’s involved in licensing decisions?
Alcohol licensing decisions involve a number of different groups and decision-makers.
When a business wants to sell alcohol, it must apply for a licence. Applications are assessed by three key groups, known as Agencies, who provide reports and recommendations on the proposed licence.
The Agencies include:
- The Licensing Inspector
- The Medical Officer of Health
- The Police
Most licensing decisions are ultimately made by the District Licensing Committee (DLC) in the area.
The DLC considers information from the applicant, the Agencies, and the community before deciding whether an alcohol licence should be granted.
The community can participate by submitting feedback or objections on certain licence applications.
Types of Alcohol Licences
There are many types of alcohol licences, but the most common are:
- On-licences – for places where alcohol is consumed on site (bars, restaurants, taverns, and clubs)
- Off-licences – for places where alcohol is purchased and taken away (bottle stores and grocery stores)
- Special licences – for one-off events where alcohol will be sold (festivals and concerts)
Community input in Alcohol licensing
Alcohol licensing isn’t just a matter for applicants and decision-makers. Communities also have an important role to play.
Two ways communities can have a say are through:
- Local Alcohol Policies (LAPs), which help shape local alcohol licensing rules across a Council area
- Alcohol objections, which allow people to raise concerns about a specific licence application
These opportunities help ensure local knowledge, lived experience, and community priorities are considered alongside regulatory requirements.
Understanding how alcohol licensing works is the first step in having a say.
The next explainers take a closer look at Local Alcohol Policies and Alcohol Objections – two important ways communities can influence alcohol licensing decisions.