A summary of alcohol licence conditions in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Author:

National Public Health Service - Northern Region | Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora

Source:

National Public Health Service - Northern Region | Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora

Publication date:

2024

Topics:

People

A summary of alcohol licence conditions in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland - 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2023

Executive summary

Licence conditions are an available mechanism in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act (2012) that can influence the way alcohol is sold and supplied. This report looked at conditions imposed on alcohol licences by the Auckland District Licensing Committees (DLCs) from July 2020 to June 2023. We also examined whether community objection had an influence on the number of conditions per licence.

We reviewed a total of 66 licences granted following a DLC hearing, including 32 on-licences, one club licence, 22 bottle store off-licences, five supermarket off-licences and six special licences. There was a larger range of conditions for bottle stores compared to the other licence types. Of the off-licences examined, just over half of the bottle stores and none of the supermarkets had conditions on single sales of alcoholic beverages. Only a minority of bottle stores and none of the supermarkets had conditions on volumes or pack sizes, price, and prohibiting the sale of tobacco and vaping products. Conditions on marketing were found on half of the bottle store off-licences.

Community objectors participated in most of the DLC hearings we examined. However, no clear relationships were identified between the number of community objectors and the number of conditions imposed on each licence.

This report may be of use to communities seeking to have a greater say over how alcohol is sold and supplied in their area. Licence conditions may be a lever to address alcohol availability, marketing and pricing, particularly in communities at higher risk of alcohol harm.