Alcohol Regulations

Last Updated: Monday, 26 July 2021 15:01 | Published: Monday, 06 July 2009 10:45 | Print | Email

Local Alcohol Policy (pdf, 536kb)

In 2013 a new alcohol law was introduced that changed the way liquor licensing decisions are made. The new law gives communities a greater say on where and when alcohol is available in their communities - the Local Alcohol Policy covers the number, location and trading hours of licensed premises in the Matamata-Piako district.

The policy has been developed through a consultation and appeals process. In response to appeals, the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA) asked Council to reconsider some clauses of the Provisional Local Alcohol Policy. A revised policy was resubmitted to ARLA who has now accepted that changes made are not unreasonable.

The Policy has been adopted and came into force on 26 April 2017 except the maximum trading hours which came into force on 26 July 2017.

Alcohol Ban

Council has adopted an alcohol ban within the Public Safety Bylaw. A 24 hour, seven day a week alcohol ban is in force within the townships of Matamata, Morrinsville, Te Aroha and Waharoa. The ban has been in force since 2009. In September 2016 Council confirmed the ban will continue and this was a decision supported by the Police and Waikato District Health Board (Population Health).

The purpose of this bylaw is to deal with the control of alcohol in public places. It also provides the Police with an effective way to address the negative effects associated with the consumption of alcohol in public places, without impacting on residents.

The alcohol ban means you cannot drink alcohol in public within the alcohol ban area, including the district's parks and reserves.

Generally transport (by vehicle or by hand) of alcohol across a public place will be lawful where the alcohol has been purchased from licensed premises (such as a bar or bottle shop) or is intended for delivery to private premises adjoining the public place by a resident or by genuine visitors and the alcohol is promptly removed from the public place. The Bylaw contains more details on these rules.

If you break any of the bylaw rules, police must give you the opportunity to remove the alcohol from the alcohol ban area before they police can search and/or arrest you. Police can also issue infringement fines for breaches of the alcohol ban.