Plans, policies and reports
Liquor bans
Liquor bans
Why Auckland has liquor bans |
Liquor ban areas |
Temporary liquor bans |
Powers of the police |
Liquor ban requests |
Why Auckland has liquor bans
The issue of liquor (and particularly its misuse) continues to generate
significant community concern. This concern is supported by research that
identifies liquor misuse as a factor in a wide range of behaviours that have
negative impacts on individuals and communities.
Liquor bans attempt to address these behaviours through banning the
consumption of liquor in certain public places within Auckland city. The police
are responsible for enforcing these liquor bans.
The bans are part of Auckland City Council's desire to make the city a safer,
healthier and more enjoyable place. The bans give the police the authority to
ask people to stop drinking alcohol in public places, remove their alcohol or,
in extreme cases, arrest them.
Who will be affected?
These liquor bans prohibit people from bringing, carrying or drinking alcohol
in public places within a ban area. This includes the possession or drinking of
alcohol in vehicles within ban areas.
Auckland City Council's liquor ban policy covers
- all council parks and reserves, including associated car parks
- specific shopping/business areas, including the CBD
- all beaches, parks and reserves on Waiheke Island and
- council car parks (open air and car park buildings).
Some bans are time and season dependent.
Liquor bans do not cover private property or licensed premises, including any
outdoor pavement seating attached to licensed premises.
Alcohol may also be carried through ban areas to and from private homes and
licensed premises as long as the alcohol is promptly taken from the ban areas.
Off licences are not affected either - as long as the alcohol purchased is
removed quickly from the ban area.
In most cases, people will be given the opportunity by the police to leave
the area or tip their alcohol out before they or their car are searched. The
police can confiscate alcohol as evidence. The legislation allows the courts to
issue a fine of up to $20,000 if a conviction is made.
An application can be made to Auckland City Council for a specific exemption
from a liquor ban for a special event being held within a liquor ban area.
Related information
Updated September 2009
