FAQs

A Local Alcohol Policy (sometimes called a “LAP”) sets out various decisions made by Council, in consultation with the community, about how the sale and supply of alcohol should be managed in our district. Its purpose is to minimise the harms which can arise as a consequence of the consumption of alcohol.

LAPs can only contain measures relating to a specific list of topics. These are the location of licensed premises by reference to broad areas, their proximity to other premises, their proximity to “sensitive premises”, the issuing of further licences, maximum trading hours, discretionary conditions for licences, and one-way door restrictions.

The current LAP has provisions on proximity to sensitive premises, maximum trading hours, and discretionary conditions.

At this stage, Council is considering three main areas of change:

• reducing the maximum trading hours for off-licences, meaning the latest an off-licence could be open would fall to 10pm (from the current latest of 11pm)
• amending the rules around sensitive premises
• adding new discretionary conditions about external signage, and consuming alcohol on the footpath

Council is considering this for a few reasons. Most of the existing off-licences in Invercargill and Bluff already have shorter hours than the maximum available, usually voluntarily, so we don’t think the impact would be too extreme. Around the country, most other LAPs require earlier closing times than 11pm, so this change will bring us more in line with national trends. And the simple fact is that reducing opening times makes alcohol a little less available to consumers, which is proven to reduce harm.

Currently, our LAP defines sensitive premises as schools and childcare facilities, places of religious gathering or assembly, all residences, and community facilities, which are within 50m of a licensed premises. Some LAPs around the country impose a total ban on licences being issued nearby to sensitive premises, but our approach is to require licence applicants to consult with sensitive premises before they apply. The changes which are being considered would mean applicants have to consult with sensitive premises within 100m of the licensed premises, would specifically include marae in the definition of sensitive premises, and would clarify that this requirement is only for entirely new licence applications – so there’s no need to consult if you’re taking over an existing business.

These are conditions which may be imposed on any alcohol licence. When discretionary conditions are included in a LAP, they must be considered by the District Licensing Committee (although the Licensing Committee still gets to decide whether to impose them or not, and can always impose other conditions that they feel are appropriate to the situation outlined in the application).

Local Alcohol Policies are governed by the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, which sets out all the rules about how they are developed, what they can cover, and how they are used. When a LAP is in force, the District Licensing Committee (which decides all applications for alcohol licences) must follow what it says about maximum trading hours, or any restrictions on types of licences and where they can be issued.

The District Licensing Committee (or “DLC”) decides whether to approve applications for alcohol licenses. It is ultimately up to the DLC to decide whether a licence can be issued, and if so under what terms or conditions. Where there is a LAP in force, the DLC has to follow any rules set out in the policy. However, it is always open to the DLC to impose more restrictive conditions than those included in a LAP, with the aim of minimising the risk of harm from the sale and consumption of alcohol.

The LAP covers all types of alcohol licences: on-licences, off-licences, club licences, and special licences. As at January 2026, there are 147 licences in total in Invercargill and Bluff (excluding special licences, as these are temporary only).

Unfortunately, alcohol-related harm in New Zealand is significant and often underestimated. Research shows that alcohol causes around 900 deaths, 1,250 new cancer diagnoses and 30,000 hospitalisations every year, and costs New Zealand an estimated $9.1 billion annually. Alcohol also contributes to alcohol-related harm recorded by Police, such as drink driving, public order offences, and family harm.

Data provided by Te Whatu Ora and NZ Police shows that we tend to have notable increases in alcohol-related harm later at night and at weekend. For example, alcohol-related presentations to the Emergency Department at Southland Hospital spike between 1am and 3am on Sunday mornings. There is also data showing that across Southland as a whole, there is an above average number of people who drink alcohol, and people who binge drink. All of the data and research on these topics can be found in the Research Report and Appendices in the Documents section.

By law, Council had to consult with New Zealand Police, the Medical Officer of Health, and the District Licensing Inspectors, before producing the draft LAP. We also reached out to a range of community stakeholders who we identified would likely have an interest in the LAP. These included those involved in alcohol-harm prevention and reduction, healthcare, rehabilitation and support services, charities and community groups, Papatipu Rūnanga, as well as tourism, retail and hospitality organisations.

In the early stages of review, we identified that there are a few key differences between Invercargill and Bluff community compared to Southland District, which mean our circumstances are different as they relate to alcohol licensing. Southland District is made of smaller more rural communities who have different licensing needs to that of an urban environment. With that in mind, both councils have chosen to move forward with separate policies that are fit for their unique licensing requirements.

Invercargill has a Licensing Trust, how does this affect the policy?

The ILT is affected by the Local Alcohol Policy like any other licence holder. However, the existence of the ILT means that we have some unique considerations compared to areas without a licensing trust. For example, we don’t have the same sorts of issues with the clustering of licensed premises. The advantage of a having a Local Alcohol Policy is that localised fixtures, such as a Licencing Trust, can be reflected in the topics addressed in the policy.

By law, Local Alcohol Policies have to be reviewed every six years. In the draft we are suggesting that, as a one off, the next review take place within five years, which will be 2031. This is to ensure that the review occurs before the local elections which will take place at the end of that year, to avoid clashing with the pre-election period.

There are many organisations who can help with issues related to alcohol, and you can also contact your doctor (GP). The following links may be helpful:

Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust

Salvation Army Bridge Programme

Alcohol.org.nz — Making a change

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Accessible versions of our consultation documents are available on request via email to policy@icc.govt.nz or by calling us on 03) 21 117 777

The easiest way is to submit online, using the form on the Let’s Talk page.

Alternatively, you can email your submission to Policy@icc.govt.nz or call us on 03 211 1777, or you can post your submission to: 

Manager- Strategy, Policy and Engagement 

Invercargill City Council

Private Bag 90104

Invercargill 9840

or hand deliver to Te Hinaki Civic Building, the Bluff Service Centre, or the Invercargill Public Library. Submissions close at 5pm on 18 February.