Local Alcohol Policy shift brings new closing times

Late nights out will be brought earlier for all Marlborough establishments as the new Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) comes into effect on 1 February.

On licence premises previously able to open until 3am will now have to close at 2am, with an additional one-way policy from 1am preventing entry after that time, while off licence premises now must finish sales by 10pm instead of 11pm.

In July 2024 Council confirmed it wished to have an LAP that reinforced the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act in ensuring the safe and responsible sale, supply and consumption of alcohol, and minimising alcohol-related harm.

The new LAP took effect from 1 November last year except for the changes in trading hours and the one-way door policy, which is effective from 1 February 2026, to give time to notify licensees.

Council’s Chief Licensing Inspector Karen Winter said the motivation for policy change had come from the Marlborough community and a lot of work was done in the pre-consultation process including meeting with Police, Health NZ, stakeholders and other agencies.

“It’s a balance between providing places for people to purchase and consume alcohol alongside reducing exposure times to alcohol. A reduction of the on licence trading hours was requested by both Police and Public Health during the development of this policy to assist in the minimisation of alcohol related harm.”

Council received 14 submissions to the draft LAP with 10 speaking at the hearing.
“The hearings sub-committee considered all the submissions,” she said.