It’s time to treat Westies like adults

Simon Court ACT MP and Undersecretary to the Minister for RMA Reform and Infrastructure.

There is a strong independent pioneering spirit in the people of West Auckland. There is no greater example than migrants from Dalmatia who dug kauri gum, cleared land for farming, started construction businesses, built homes and factories.

They also planted grape vines all over West Auckland and made our first local wines. They sold wine, beer and cider from cellar doors making the most of the land and opportunity New Zealand offers, and many still do.

But sadly, West Auckland contains a relic from a forgotten era of prohibition and temperance, one that is completely at odds with a modern liberal society and a fast-growing city.

West Auckland is subject to one of New Zealand’s last remaining liquor monopolies extending as far as Taupaki, Kumeu and Hobsonville Point.

In West Auckland, as well as in Invercargill and Mataura, only licensing trusts can operate liquor stores, taverns, and licensed hotels. These monopolies are an outdated, nanny state throwback to the 1970s – they limit choice and inflate prices.

West Auckland is growing rapidly. But there are only eight venues licensed as taverns or hotels in West Auckland to serve a population of 296,000 – one for every 37,000 residents. In Auckland as a whole, there is one venue for every 3,900 people.

The community is being underserved. It means that some locals either go without the services that other Aucklanders rightfully expect the market to provide, or they have to travel and spend their money elsewhere in Auckland, estimated at over $100 million per annum.

The current rules are a confusing mess. In my home patch you can operate a hotel, but you’re not allowed a bar or room service. Supermarkets can’t sell alcohol, but you can get it delivered to your door. It’s totally ridiculous.

One of the arguments for liquor monopolies is that all the profits go back into the community. But 80 per cent of profits are from pokies, not alcohol. Revenue from gaming machines makes up most of the funding for these trusts, not liquor sales.

Another argument is that when monopolies control and limit the sale of alcohol in an area there’s less harm. But there’s simply no evidence that there’s less alcohol-related harm in West Auckland because of the monopolies.

I have submitted a Members Bill which if passed will repeal the monopolies held by the Invercargill, Mataura, Portage and Waitakere Licensing Trusts. This would break these communities free from silly rules and give entrepreneurial locals the ability to sell alcohol under the same rules that apply nationwide. Allowing more bars and eateries to emerge will offer a wider range of choices for people eating and drinking out.

The benefits from removing the Trust monopoly will also flow through to other businesses as more people are attracted into the town centres.

I have written to fellow MP’s and local Councillors seeking their support to have this Bill introduced to Parliament and passed as soon as possible. It is time to end these outdated, paternalistic monopolies and treat Westies who want to have a drink like adults.

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