Have Your Say

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our early engagement.

We are now using this feedback to support the drafting of the Bylaw. You will have another opportunity to have your say during consultation between 6 June and 7 July.

What is the Purpose of the Bylaw?

The bylaw is designed to:

  • Reduce Alcohol-Related Harm: Minimise public nuisance, disorderly behaviour, and violence caused by alcohol consumption.
  • Promote Safe Public Spaces: Create enjoyable environments for all residents and visitors.
  • Support Law Enforcement: Provide police with a practical tool to manage alcohol-related issues.

This bylaw allows police to use discretion when addressing alcohol consumption in alcohol control areas. Officers can assess each situation and decide whether intervention is necessary. This approach enables de-escalation without the need for formal infringements or arrests, unless there is actual or potential alcohol-related crime or disorder.

This bylaw sets the rules around drinking alcohol in public spaces like parks, reserves, and streets. This review is not about alcohol licences, bars, restaurants, or where alcohol can be sold—those are covered by separate policies and legislation.

Early Engagement Results

During our early engagement we heard from:

  • Individual Community Members
  • Ngāti Tama
  • Waimea and Motueka Youth Councils
  • Te Whatu Ora / Health NZ
  • Local Police

We also gathered data from the Police where alcohol had been a contributing factor in a crime or incident over the last five years. This data is shown in heat maps.

Interpreting Police Heat Maps

A heat map visually represents the frequency and location of incidents in public places where alcohol has been a contributing factor over the past five years. Using a gradient of colours, from cooler tones (indicating fewer incidents) to warmer tones (indicating higher concentrations), the map helps identify patterns and hotspots where alcohol-related incidents are more common.


Police Data: Golden Bay

Police Data: Motueka

Police Data: Moutere-Waimea

Police Data: Richmond

Police Data: Lakes-Murchison

Survey Mapping Results

As part of our early engagement online survey we asked participants to mark any observations of alcohol related crime and disorder on a map, along with their comments. We also asked for any suggested improvements.

Zoom in on the map and click on a coloured dot to see contributions from the community.

Community observations of alcohol related crime and disorder are marked with pink dots.

Community suggested improvements are marked with orange dots.