Latest news with #LocalAlcoholPolicy
1News
6 days ago
- Business
- 1News
South Auckland grocery store loses right to sell alcohol
A store in south Auckland has lost its right to sell alcohol after their efforts to pass itself off as a grocery store was rejected, in a precedent-setting case. McLennan Grocery Store, at Swamp Kauri Grove in Papakura, was recently granted an off-licence in March by the Auckland District Licensing Committee (ADLC). However, after an appeal led by Auckland councillor Angela Dalton with the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA), the off-licence was denied. The appeal focused on whether the shop met the statutory definition of a grocery store under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. According to section 33 of the Act, a grocery shop was defined as a premises that emphasised the sale of food products as the principal business, and characteristics normally associated with grocery shops. ADVERTISEMENT Under the Act, a convenience store wasn't permitted to sell alcohol. Communities Against Alcohol Harm secretary Dr Grant Hewison said ARLA's decision will now set a precedent for future off-license applications on grocery and convenience stores. "This decision will be welcomed by many in the Papakura community," Hewison said. "It's encouraging to see ARLA taking a firm stance on the difference between convenience stores and grocery stores to avoid alcohol being sold from convenience stores," Hewison said. He said convenience stores were often located right in the centre of residential communities and were intended to be convenient. Parliament made it clear in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act that liquor shouldn't be sold from 'convenience' stores, Hewison said. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including deadly Texas floods, Australian woman attacked by a lion, and Elon Musk's new political party. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT The off-licence application Baj Holdings Limited applied for a new off-licence with the DLC, for McLennan Grocery Store September 3, 2024. The shop was formerly known as McLennan Convenience Store. The applicant stated the primary business was food sales and agreed to conditions such as alcohol sales only until 8pm. The medical officer had initially opposed the application but withdrew after viewing photos showing an increase in the range of food and groceries sold, and introduction of shopping baskets, after an earlier visit. With no opposition from key agencies, and six public objectors related to alcohol-related harm, the application was granted on March 11. DLC concluded the application met the object of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, the company was suitable, the application was consistent with the Local Alcohol Policy, and the proposed hours, design, and other goods sold were appropriate. The appeal ADVERTISEMENT In June, councillor Dalton filed an appeal with ARLA, against the District Licensing Committee's decision for McLennan Grocery Store. Her appeal was focused on whether the premises met the statutory definition of a grocery store under the Act, and the object of the Act. In its own inspection, ARLA found the shop was not what people would consider patronising to shop for grocery items, but more to pick up items they were running out of, therefore characterising the shop as a 'convenience store'. The entrance of the shop did not suggest it was a grocery store, other than the amended signage from McLennan Convenience Store to McLennan Grocery Store. There was a large sign outside and inside with prices assigned to various goods. ARLA found none of the items listed suggested the store had as its principal business the sale of food products. They found it concerning there was limited space given on the limited range of food products like bread, fresh fruit, vegetables and fresh meat. However, greater prominence was given to other aspects of the business — drinks and takeaways. ADVERTISEMENT The premises had a vape store, which ARLA said was more easily aligned with a convenience store than a grocery store, and that there were only two baskets available for shoppers to use to load goods, which was also inconsistent with a grocery store. "For these reasons we consider that the appeal must succeed as we do not consider that these premises meet the requirements of a grocery store," ARLA said in its decision. "The shop certainly had aspects that could be attributed to those expected of a grocery store, but those aspects appeared to be secondary to other aspects of the business that appeared to us to be correctly and appropriately those of a convenience store." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
South Auckland Grocery Store Loses Right To Sell Alcohol
A store in south Auckland has lost its right to sell alcohol after their efforts to pass itself off as a grocery store was rejected, in a precedent-setting case. McLennan Grocery Store, at Swamp Kauri Grove in Papakura, was recently granted an off-licence in March by the Auckland District Licensing Committee (ADLC). However, after an appeal led by Auckland councillor Angela Dalton with the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA), the off-licence was denied. The appeal focused on whether the shop met the statutory definition of a grocery store under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. According to section 33 of the Act, a grocery shop was defined as a premises that emphasised the sale of food products as the principal business, and characteristics normally associated with grocery shops. Under the Act, a convenience store wasn't permitted to sell alcohol. Communities Against Alcohol Harm secretary Dr Grant Hewison said ARLA's decision will now set a precedent for future off-license applications on grocery and convenience stores. 'This decision will be welcomed by many in the Papakura community," Hewison said. 'It's encouraging to see ARLA taking a firm stance on the difference between convenience stores and grocery stores to avoid alcohol being sold from convenience stores," Hewison said. He said convenience stores were often located right in the centre of residential communities and were intended to be convenient. Parliament made it clear in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act that liquor shouldn't be sold from 'convenience' stores, Hewison said. The off-licence application Baj Holdings Limited applied for a new off-licence with the DLC, for McLennan Grocery Store September 3, 2024. The shop was formerly known as McLennan Convenience Store. The applicant stated the primary business was food sales, and agreed to conditions such as alcohol sales only until 8pm. The medical officer had initially opposed the application, but withdrew after viewing photos showing an increase in the range of food and groceries sold, and introduction of shopping baskets, after an earlier visit. With no opposition from key agencies, and six public objectors related to alcohol-related harm, the application was granted on March 11. DLC concluded the application met the object of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, the company was suitable, the application was consistent with the Local Alcohol Policy, and the proposed hours, design, and other goods sold were appropriate. The appeal In June, councillor Dalton filed an appeal with ARLA, against the District Licensing Committee's decision for McLennan Grocery Store. Her appeal was focused on whether the premises met the statutory definition of a grocery store under the Act, and the object of the Act. In its own inspection, ARLA found the shop was not what people would consider patronising to shop for grocery items, but more to pick up items they were running out of, therefore characterising the shop as a 'convenience store'. The entrance of the shop did not suggest it was a grocery store, other than the amended signage from McLennan Convenience Store to McLenann Grocery Store. There was a large sign outside and inside with prices assigned to various goods. ARLA found none of the items listed suggested the store had as its principal business the sale of food products. They found it concerning there was limited space given on the limited range of food products like bread, fresh fruit, vegetables and fresh meat. However, greater prominence was given to other aspects of the business - drinks and takeaways. The premises had a vape store, which ARLA said was more easily aligned with a convenience store than a grocery store, and that there were only two baskets available for shoppers to use to load goods, which was also inconsistent with a grocery store. "For these reasons we consider that the appeal must succeed as we do not consider that these premises meet the requirements of a grocery store," ARLA said in its decision. "The shop certainly had aspects that could be attributed to those expected of a grocery store but those aspects appeared to be secondary to other aspects of the business that appeared to us to be correctly and appropriately those of a convenience store." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
New rules around alcohol sales adopted in Christchurch
Photo: File image Christchurch City Council has agreed to a new set of rules on how alcohol can be sold and supplied across the city. Mayor Phil Mauger and city councillors approved the Local Alcohol Policy (LAP), which will affect Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. It includes three main rules designed to address alcohol-related harm: All off-licence retailers must stop selling alcohol at 9pm daily, effective from October. This includes bottle stores and supermarkets. A freeze on new off-licences in high-deprivation communities, effective from August. Restricting new bottle stores from setting up near addiction treatment/rehabilitation centres, secondary schools and primary schools, the University of Canterbury and the Christchurch Bus Interchange effective from August. Mauger said the LAP is the result of months of research and consultation with the community, health professionals, retailers and hospitality, and "strikes a balance between their interests". "All through this process, we've consistently heard that the wider community wants a Local Alcohol Policy that's fair as well as effective," Mauger says. "Our residents always come first, and the main purpose of the Local Alcohol Policy is to address the harm caused by alcohol in our community. However, we want to do this while ensuring Christchurch remains a lively and thriving city. "The result is a Policy that focuses mainly on making alcohol less available at certain times and in certain areas, particularly for those considered more vulnerable, where easy access to alcohol can have a larger impact on the community." Councils in New Zealand can develop their own LAPs, which can set the number, location, and opening hours of licensed premises, such as bars, cafés and restaurants, supermarkets and bottle stores. These rules can apply across either the whole city and district or only in identified local areas. Once a LAP is in place, it must be reviewed within six years.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Updated Alcohol Policy And Keeping Animals Bylaw For Porirua
Updated rules on keeping animals and the sale and supply of alcohol in Porirua will be coming into force. The Keeping of Animals Bylaw 2025 and Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) 2025 have been recently officially ratified by Mayor Anita Baker and Porirua City councillors, following on from consultation (December 2024 to this March) and deliberations and hearings in May. The updated LAP aims to reduce alcohol-related harm in our city, particularly in some of Porirua's most vulnerable communities, while balancing growth in the city and the hospitality industry's needs. After input from the public, health officials, licensing inspectors and police, the policy will manage where and when alcohol can be sold and promotes responsible drinking. New LAP rules include: off-licence premises like bottle stores, grocery stores and supermarkets can only sell alcohol between 9am-9pm no new off-licences are allowed in vulnerable areas without very good reason (Porirua East, Titahi Bay, Elsdon, Takapūwāhia, Kenepuru and the city's CBD) all licences within 100 metres of a sensitive site, such as schools and drug/alcohol treatment centres, will need to do an impact assessment for a new licence or an application to renew. The LAP comes into effect on 18 July, except changes to the off-licence hours, which will take effect on 5 January, 2026. The Keeping of Animals Bylaw 2025, meanwhile, has updated rules to help prevent mess, noise and nuisance by domestic animals in Porirua. It includes new rules for cats (requiring owners to desex, microchip and register their feline), stock, and poultry, as well as new rules for beekeepers. Dogs are already governed by the Dog Control Bylaw.
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Herald
Northland news in brief: Property values up
Free car seat checks Northland Road Safety Trust and its child restraint technician are offering free car seat checks, installs, tips and advice this week as part of Road Safety Week 2025. The aim is to ensure all car seats are installed correctly and safely, as 80% of child restraints are installed or used incorrectly. They will be at Otangarei Marae from 3pm until 6pm on Thursday, May 15. On Friday, May 16, a Road Safety Hero relay around the Hatea Loop will start at 1pm at the Canopy Bridge. Dress up in your most creative hero costume, pick up some road safety tips on the way, and be in to win one of many giveaways. DoC hut booking The Department of Conservation has opened bookings for its huts for the 2025/26 season, starting with backcountry huts, cabins, lodges and cottages. Bookings are open for popular shared huts like the Coromandel's Pinnacles Hut, Bushline in Nelson Lakes and Aspiring Hut. Fully bookable options include Te Whare Mata Uraura on Matiu/Somes Island, The Camphouse in Taranaki and Mimiwhangata Beach House in Northland. There are seven DoC huts in Northland. To make a booking, go to: Safe-drinking drive The Far North District Council has called on people across the district to share their thoughts on the selling and consumption of alcohol as the council aims to support safe, responsible drinking and reduce alcohol-related harm in communities. Insights will advise the council on how alcohol-free areas apply and develop a Local Alcohol Policy. The survey is open until May 30 and can be found on the council's website.
