Year-Round Extension Proposed For Mangawhai Liquor Ban

Does the Mangawhai community want its present New Year ban on alcohol extended to a 7pm to 7am ban all year round?

Kaipara District Council has for a number of years banned the possession and consumption of alcohol in Mangawhai’s public places on New Year’s Eve but Police, with the support of the community, have asked for a 24 hour ban operating 365 days a year. Police are concerned that alcohol encourages unruly, abusive or destructive behaviour, and results in broken glass lying around.

In an attempt to meet these concerns without excessively restricting public freedom Council proposes to extend the Mangawhai Liquor Control Bylaw to operate between 7pm and 7am, all year round, in public places at Mangawhai and Mangawhai Heads.

This proposal is being advertised for public comment with submission closing on 28 November. They will be heard on 5 December and if the bylaw changes are approved they will implemented before Christmas 2008.

Mangawhai-based councillors Julia Sutherland and Tom Smith are happy to provide more information and also have submission forms. These are also available on the Council’s website www.kaipara.govt.nz, at Dargaville and Kaiwaka service centres and Mangawhai, Kaiwaka and Dargaville libraries.

Senior Constable Geoff Medland has welcomed the proposed extension, and encourages the community to make their views known to the Council. “Over the years there have been a lot of offences associated with alcohol abuse and there is a growing trend for young people to travel to places with no liquor bans and upset people,” he says. “It has come to the point where something needs to be done.”

“This will allow people to have a wine with their picnic lunch but then we can close down the less desirable drinking at 7pm and create a more sociable environment. It will also encourage people to drink in licensed establishments or in their own homes.”

Kaipara District Council has also received requests from police, groups and individuals for liquor bans in Pahi, Whakapirau, Maungaturoto, Paparoa, Kaiwaka and Ruawai, plus Glinks Gully and parts of Kaihu. However given the number of communities involved Council feels more discussion and consultation is needed before any decisions are made on these.

It plans to release a Statement of Proposal alongside the Kaipara’s Future - Working Together Plan 2009/19 next March to seek public opinion and will also hold further talks with major interest groups like Police and the Liquor Accord.

Caption for associated map: Areas covered by the extended liquor ban proposed for Mangawhai and Mangawhai Heads