30.7.2024
New reports published by the National Public Health Service (NPHS) (Northern Region) provide a deep dive into alcohol use and alcohol licencing within Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
They explore how alcohol affects different populations within Auckland, and the extent to which communities and the statutory agencies influence alcohol availability through the licensing process.
The first report provides a snapshot of alcohol use among adults (aged 15+ years) in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland between 2017 and 2020. The data was taken from the New Zealand Health Survey, published by Manatū Hauora - Ministry of Health.
“Overall levels of alcohol use in Auckland were high” says Medical Officer of Health Dr June Leung. “One in five Auckland adults reported heavy episodic drinking at least monthly, while almost one in six adults reported drinking to hazardous levels.”
“We also found evidence of the ‘alcohol harm paradox’ in Auckland. This is where communities living in areas with higher socioeconomic deprivation were less likely to drink overall, but experienced more harm from hazardous drinking.”
The data also showed that heavy episodic drinking and hazardous drinking disproportionately impacted Māori and Pacific peoples and men.
“The high levels of alcohol use and inequities in Tāmaki Makaurau highlight the need for effective and comprehensive policy interventions to reduce the availability, affordability and marketing of alcohol,” says Leung.
Separate analysis was also undertaken on the outcomes of alcohol licence applications in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland between July 2018 and June 2023, and the conditions imposed on alcohol licences between July 2020 and June 2023.
For alcohol to be sold to the public a seller must apply for a licence and it be granted by a District Licensing Committee (DLC) appointed by the territorial authority, such as Auckland Council. If there are any objections to a licence application by communities or the statutory agencies (the Council’s licensing inspector, Police and the medical officer of health), the DLC holds a public hearing. Objectors can also request the DLC place specific conditions on an alcohol licence if it were to be granted.
“A sole objection to an alcohol licence application can trigger a DLC hearing, making objections a critical lever for communities to influence alcohol availability in their neighbourhoods,” says Leung.
The analysis found that of the 9,490 on-, off-, and club licence applications processed between July 2018 and June 2023 only 1% went to a DLC hearing and the majority of these (76%) were still granted. It also showed that communities objected to more licence applications than the statutory agencies did.
“While communities were very active in objecting to alcohol licence applications, they were more likely to be successful in their objections when backed up by statutory agencies too. The agencies must therefore work more closely with communities to understand and reflect their concerns about alcohol.”
The report on licence conditions highlighted the broad range and frequency of conditions that could be applied on alcohol licences, which licensees must adhere to.
“Addressing the availability, affordability and marketing of alcohol are the most cost-effective ways to reduce alcohol harm. Licence conditions can support this, whether by reducing the availability of low-cost and high-strength alcohol, or restricting alcohol marketing to protect communities, especially young people. Licence conditions can even be used to limit the availability of other harmful commodities that are commonly sold together with alcohol, such as tobacco or vapes.”
“DLCs have the discretion to impose any reasonable conditions on alcohol licences which are not inconsistent with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. Requesting these provides another means by which communities and statutory agencies can attempt to reduce alcohol harm.”
The report identified that of the 66 licences granted following a DLC hearing:
A 2023 amendment to the Act aims to make it easier for communities to object to an alcohol licence application and have their say at DLC hearings. Anyone can now object to a licence application and the time frame for objections has been extended to 25 working days. For applications received on or after 30 May 2024, DLC hearings will also be made more accessible and less adversarial, by incorporating tikanga Māori, allowing remote participation and removing cross-examination.
“It’s critical to ensure the alcohol licensing process is accessible and equitable to communities. Our reports provide an important baseline to see if the changes to the licensing process do end up making it easier for communities to have their voices heard,” adds Leung.