Auckland Council’s new local alcohol policy starts today, 9 December.
The policy requires all off-premise businesses (including bottle shops, supermarkets and other shops that sell alcohol to take away) to stop alcohol sales after 9pm each night.
The 9pm cut-off also applies to low and zero-alcohol products, such as 0% alcohol beer.
Licensed bars and restaurants will be able to sell alcohol up until 4am in the city centre, and 3am outside of the city centre, as long as their licence currently permits them to do this.
Sports clubs and RSAs will be able to sell alcohol until 1am if they are licensed to do so.
The policy will not impact trading hours for special licences for festivals and events. These will continue to be assessed by the District Licensing Committee, as they are now.
Retail NZ is urging customers to be understanding and considerate to retail workers impacted by today’s changes to alcohol sales in Auckland.
“This means some customers will need to change their shopping habits and plan ahead when they are buying alcohol,” says Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young.
“We understand this may be frustrating for some customers who may get caught out by this change, but we urge customers to not take it out on retail workers who are simply following the new rules imposed by Auckland Council.
“We ask that customers refer their enquiries to the Council, and to treat retail workers with respect and use language and behaviours that they would use with their whanau and friends.”
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