Hastings bars forced to close an hour earlier than Napier

Hastings is closing its bars an hour earlier, sending patrons home in a decision at odds with neighbouring city Napier.

Hastings District Council has voted unanimously for additional changes to its Local Alcohol Policy (LAP), including pubs closing at 2am instead of 3am, with a mandatory one-way door from 1am.

Supermarkets and grocery stores must also reduce the hours alcohol can be sold to 9am to 9pm. Previously, it was 7am to 10pm.

The changes came into force last week, on September 30. The impacts of the changes would be reviewed in a year.

Nick Keene, Hospitality NZ’s interim chief executive, said the decision would create the very issues everyone wanted to avoid, such as patrons travelling between districts where bars would still be open.

A Hastings District Council spokesperson said they acknowledged Napier’s hours were different, but evidence showed some migration was already happening between Napier and Hastings.

A council spokesperson said evidence from other centres such as Auckland and Tauranga showed the difference in hours between areas was manageable.

“Importantly, Napier’s one-way door helps limit very late-night movement.”

In May, Napier Council reversed direction on its proposal to close bars an hour earlier, with councillor Richard McGrath saying at the time he wasn’t prepared to take the chance for young people to dance away from them.

Keene said closing safe and well-managed venues earlier could lead to more drinking in uncontrolled places, which may actually increase alcohol-related harm instead of reducing it.

“Hospitality NZ submitted strongly against the changes, noting that policies must balance harm reduction with economic and social outcomes.”

The council spokesperson said evidence shows otherwise.

“Alcohol-related harm in Hastings spikes between 7pm and 3am, with about 20% of all alcohol-related police incidents occurring between midnight and 3am.

“While on-licences are regulated and safer than private settings, the LAP provisions strike a balance, keeping venues open until 2am still supports the night-time economy while addressing the period of greatest risk.

“Reducing off-licence hours reduces the availability of alcohol, working as a package with on-licence hours reductions.”

They said the Ministry of Health, Medical Officer of Health, NZ Police and licensing inspectors were in favour of the move.

Where Hastings mayoral candidates stand on bar opening hours

Steve Gibson says as an ex-police officer, he’s seen first-hand the harm caused by binge drinking in communities.

“Anything that promotes safer, more social drinking instead of excess is worth supporting. While I understand Hospitality NZ’s concern about regional consistency, I believe reducing hours under the Local Alcohol Policy is a step in the right direction.”

Damon Harvey said there should not be an inconsistency in hospitality operating hours across Hastings and Napier.

“I raised concerns about not having alignment when they disbanded a joint alcohol committee prior to this decision coming before council, and was assured that they were aligned.”

Wendy Schollum said most late-night alcohol harm in Hastings happens after midnight.

“So I joined the council in unanimously backing earlier closing hours. I was disappointed we couldn’t get consistency with Napier, because intoxicated people driving between cities is a concern.

“Police reassured us migration isn’t likely, but it’s part of why I pushed for a one-year review. Good evidence needs to be tested in practice.”

Marcus Buddo said he didn’t agree with the difference in opening hours between Hastings and Napier.

“There should be consistency between our very close cities.”

Darrin Wilson did not respond.

Other new trading hours – in force from September 30

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.