Alcohol Control Bylaw

Anyone interested in the proposal could make a submission between 20 September 2024 and 21 October 2024.

Submissions could be made to Council using the submission forms that were available on this page.

Hard copy documents were available at our Customer Service Centres:

Te Iwitahi
9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours:  Monday to Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours:  Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday - 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays

Please ensure that you provide appropriate contact details if you would like us to respond to you following the conclusion of the process.

All submissions are considered public under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act. Your name and feedback will be available to elected members and the public via our reports and website. All other personal details you provide will remain private.

The collection and use of personal information by Whangarei District Council is regulated by the Privacy Act 2020.

Privacy Statement

Your submission will not be returned to you once it is lodged with Council. Please keep a copy for your reference. 

What is the Alcohol Control Bylaw for? 

Council can use the Bylaw to ban alcohol in public places where drinking has led to a high level of criminal or disorderly behaviour. 

What is meant by public places? 

Section 147(1) of the Local Government Act 2002 defines a public place as any area that is accessible to the public, like a beach, school grounds or a supermarket carpark. The definition does not include licensed premises like bars and restaurants. 

What is this Bylaw not about? 

The Bylaw is not about the location or number of licensed premises or the hours that alcohol is for sale. These things are regulated outside the Bylaw. 

Who enforces the Bylaw? 

Only Police Officers can enforce the Bylaw. 

What powers does the Bylaw give Police? 

Police can also search people’s belongings and vehicles for alcohol in an alcohol ban area. Police can also arrest people who are found to be in breach of the Bylaw. 

When can Council ban alcohol in public places? 

Under the law, any alcohol ban needs evidence that drinking in that place has led to a high level of crime or disorder.

What will happen with your feedback?

All feedback received will be provided to Council. Staff will also review and analyse the feedback received and provide this analysis to Council. Council will then deliberate on all the information provided and make a final decision on the proposal.

Read the Council discussions and decisions that led to this proposal:

• Agenda report to Council Briefing – 25 October 2023 
• Agenda report to Council Meeting – 23 November 2023 
• Agenda report to Council Briefing – 26 March 2024 
• Agenda report to Council Meeting – 29 August 2024