Across New Zealand and Australia, gambling-related harm is a major concern as problem gambling rates continue to surge. Now, New Zealand politicians are adding another type of harm reduction to its list of goals by attempting to reduce alcohol-related harm at various entertainment venues across the country.
According to the New Zealand Herald, the Auckland City Council has proposed new restrictions on the sale of alcohol. The council aims to reduce the time during which alcohol can be bought at bottle stores and supermarket by an hour, so they cannot purchase it after 10pm. They also want to reduce the hours of serving at bars from 4am to 3am. The serving of alcohol in on-licence venues would be cut from 4am to 1am.
By reducing the hours of alcohol sales, the city of Auckland aims to reduce the potential harm that can be caused by alcohol. According to authorities, alcohol-related violence peaks at 3am, so the new laws aim to stop individuals from drinking early into the morning and getting into trouble. Limiting the hours of alcohol sales in bottle shops would also stop party-goers from ‘pre-drinking’ for very long periods of time.
While the new restrictions have the best interests of the public at heart, the entertainment industry is not pleased. Bar and pub owners are concerned that the new laws will hurt their business by cutting into their alcohol sales. "They are trying to close us down.
The 3am closing in the CBD and Newton and Ponsonby and 1am everywhere else is a massive step backwards – it's draconian,” says Kevin Schwass, President of Hospitality Association Auckland. "If they are talking about Auckland being the most liveable city in the world, it's a joke." However, the laws do not aim to ruin anyone’s fun. Politicians have stated that they want to find the balance between a fun city and a safe city.
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