From 28 May 2026, licensed premises can accept approved digital ID as evidence of age for alcohol purchases. While this is a relatively small regulatory amendment, it represents a significant shift toward digital verification in everyday transactions. Operators will need to make conscious decisions about whether and how to adopt it.
The recently issued 2026 Penalty Guidelines provide important insights into how the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA) will approach enforcement outcomes under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
Introduced to Parliament on 16 March 2026, the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill recalibrates New Zealand’s alcohol licensing framework. While retaining its harm‑minimisation focus, the Bill addresses long‑standing concerns about cost, delay, and uncertainty for licence holders. This article outlines the key changes and their practical implications.
The 2025 Alcohol Amendment Bill introduces significant updates to New Zealand’s alcohol licensing laws, aiming to modernise regulations for off-licences and low/no-alcohol products. In this article, Anna Suckling and Sarah Rawcliffe explore the current limitations and discuss how the proposed changes are expected to positively impact businesses.
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Bill (introduced by Labour MP, Kieran McAnulty) has been drawn from the ballot. The Bill seeks to repeal rules that limit the sale of alcohol on public holidays.
The Epidemic Notice finally expires today (20 October 2022) after coming into force in March 2020. This is welcome relief for those who are trying to obtain or renew alcohol licences.
A new Bill has been drawn from the ballot that if enacted will bring some positive news to wineries with cellar doors. After a few years of limited visitors and staffing shortages we are pleased to report on some good news for the industry. This article discusses the proposed legislation and the benefits to the hospitality industry.
In the alcohol licensing process, it is important to understand how a locality can impact alcohol licence applications. This article discusses how the “amenity and good order” of the locality is relevant in the licence application.
So, you have finally decided to open a new bar or a bottle store with the aim of creating more job opportunities and helping the economic recovery post Covid19 lockdown. This article focuses on the importance of completing a thorough due diligence before you purchase the property or sign a lease agreement. This article also highlights issues that new applicants, as well as existing licensees, are facing in terms of application processing times post Covid19 lockdown.
As alcohol licensing specialists , we see licensees sign negotiated suspension agreements with the Police on the basis that they have sold alcohol to a minor (an alleged failed CPO). However, this is not as black & white as it seems. The article below provides commentary on s 239(1) and the offences covered by that section.