FAQs

An LAP helps manage where and when alcohol can be sold, aiming to reduce harm and promote responsible drinking. It influences the types of licences granted and sets conditions for businesses.

The LAP review aims to analyse local demographics and alcohol-related harm, gather community input, and develop effective policies to reduce alcohol harm in Porirua.

Porirua's current LAP was established in 2017. All councils are required to review their LAP, every six years under the Local Government Act.

The review has identified on-going alcohol harm, higher risk factors in areas of high deprivation, and a lack of significant impact from the current policy on reducing alcohol-related issues.

The review included data on crime and victimisations, alcohol-related injuries, and diseases, hospital stays, community input, and demographics, among other factors.

Proposed changes include making alcohol less accessible in vulnerable areas, adjusting trading hours for off-licences, introducing density provisions for alcohol licenses, and implementing discretionary conditions tailored to specific risks.

Priority areas are specific locations identified as having higher instances of alcohol-related harm. They have been determined by meeting two out of the three key pieces of data that have a strong correlation to alcohol harm. 

• High density of alcohol licences
• Socioeconomic deprivation levels between 8-10
• Evidence of high rates of victimisations from police data (these are higher than the rest of Porirua and are adjusted for population).

Sensitive sites are places with populations more vulnerable to alcohol-related harm, such as children and those in treatment for addiction. The community can provide input on which sites to consider during the formal consultation period.

Off-licences allow the sale of alcohol for consumption elsewhere (eg bottle stores), while on-licences permit alcohol consumption on the premises (eg bars and restaurants).

If adopted, off-licences would only be permitted to sell alcohol between 9 am and 9 pm across the city.

A sinking lid policy prohibits any new alcohol licenses, ensuring that the total number of licenses gradually decreases over time.

Discretionary conditions are specific rules that can be applied to individual off-licence applications to address concerns or risks associated with alcohol sale in that area.

Currently, no changes are proposed to special licenses, but the community is invited to share their feedback on their experiences with special licensed events.

The community can engage in the formal consultation process by sharing their thoughts on the proposed policies and conditions during the feedback period between 10 December 2024 to 7 March 2025.

The DLC considers and makes decisions regarding new alcohol license applications, renewals, and variations, taking the LAP and community input into account.