Consultation for this Bylaw closed on 15 June 2025.


Share your feedback on the proposed changes to alcohol ban areas across the Waikato District. Tell us where you would like alcohol consumption in public places banned.


What is the Alcohol Control Bylaw?

The purpose of the Alcohol Control Bylaw is to reduce alcohol related harm, crime, or disorder in public places through prohibiting, regulating, or controlling the consumption, possession, or bringing of alcohol into public places.

Please note, this Bylaw does not apply to privately owned property and premises licensed to sell or supply alcohol (under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012).

This Bylaw includes rules around exceptions to alcohol ban areas and where alcohol ban areas are located across the Waikato district.

NZ Police enforce this Bylaw and Council has worked closely with them to review this Bylaw.


Summary of proposed changes?

Council are proposing to:

  1. Update clause 6.2 to explain ban times for cemeteries, park, reserves, and esplanades across the Waikato district.
  2. Add a new clause 11.2 which provides guidance around alcohol being consumed inside a self-contained vehicle parked in an alcohol ban area.
  3. Extend alcohol ban areas in:
    • Pookeno
    • Tuakau
    • Raglan
    • Taupiri
    • Huntly
    • Te Kauwhata.
  4. Extend seasonal ban times across Raglan district.
  5. Create a new alcohol ban area in Mercer.
  6. Make some minor changes to the wording of the Bylaw.

Refer to the Statement of Proposal for more info.


Tell us what you think!

We want to hear your feedback on the proposed changes to the Alcohol Control Bylaw 2020. Council, in consultation with NZ Police, have reviewed the Alcohol Control Bylaw and is considering making the changes proposed below.


Further detail around the proposed changes is explained below, please tell us what you think.

The reviewed Alcohol Control Bylaw was adopted and will come into effect on 3 September 2025. It can be found on our website here.


Based on community feedback received through submissions and the hearing, Council has made the following changes to the Alcohol Control Bylaw 2020:


Section of the Bylaw impacted

What has changed from the previous bylaw?

Section 6.0 Permanent Alcohol Ban Areas

Council consulted on alcohol ban areas in Huntly, Pookeno, and Tuakau becoming Alcohol ban areas from 9pm Thursday through to 9am Monday and to remain ban areas from 9pm to 9am for all other days of the week.

However, Council decided not to make any changes to alcohol ban times in parks, reserves, esplanades, and cemeteries. They will remain alcohol ban areas from 9pm to 9am daily.

11.0 Exceptions

As proposed through consultation, Clause 11.2 has been added, allowing people to drink alcohol within self-contained vehicles when adhering to certain restrictions.

However, after considering feedback from the community Council decided to add Clause 11.3 to exclude James St from the exception (Clause 11.2).

Schedule 1: Mapped Areas

Taupiri (Map 2)

As proposed through consultation, the alcohol ban area in Taupiri has extended to include the car park/boat ramp area opposite Taupiri Maunga/urupaa and includes more public land between the roundabout and Mangawara Stream.

Huntly (Map 3a and 3b)

As proposed through consultation, the mapped area in Huntly has been extended to include Te Ohaki Rd and out along Great South Rd to East Mine Rd to Tawa Road and James Rd.

The ban area has been extended south to include all residential areas along Tregoweth Lane.

Please note: The Huntly map has been split into two (Huntly North (Map 3a) and Huntly South (Map 3b)) to make it easier to read.

Te Kauwhata (Map 4)

As proposed through consultation, the mapped area in Te Kauwhata has been extended to include the new Lakeside Development area.

Pookeno (Map 6)

As proposed through consultation, the mapped area in Pookeno has been extended to include the town centre and industrial areas.

Tuakau (Map 7)

As proposed through consultation, the mapped area in Tuakau has been extended to include the town centre and key roads, with the exception of the ban area on Escotts Rd. This has been removed.

Raglan (Map 8)

As proposed through consultation, the mapped area in Raglan has been extended to include the whole town centre and key roads.

Raglan district (Map 9)

As proposed through consultation, the seasonal alcohol control times for Raglan district have been extended from 23 Dec to 6 Jan to 23 Dec to 10 Feb each year.

Mercer

Council consulted on adding an alcohol ban area to include the river front and service centre area.

However, Council decided not to have an alcohol ban area in Mercer.