Urgent Need for Otaki

April 2021

By Frank Neill

A Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) covering Ōtaki is urgently needed.

The main reason Ōtaki needs a LAP is so that the community can successfully object to

decisions allowing yet more liquor outlets in the area.

This was highlighted in the recent decision of the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing

Authority/Te Mana Waeture Take Waipiro. The authority was considering an appeal by Dr

Mereana Selby, on behalf of Te Wānanga o Raukawa, opposing the opening of an off-licence

in Arthur Street.

The authority’s decision described community issues about the impact of alcohol on the

Ōtaki community as “legitimate concerns”.

However the scheme of the Sale and Supply of Liquor Act 2012 concerning whether further

licences should be issued “is more properly the subject of a local alcohol policy,” the decision

continued.

In other words, if the Kāpiti Coast District Council had developed an LAP covering Ōtaki,

the authority would have been able to consider turning down the application for an off-

licence in Arthur Street.

Just how important an LAP for Ōtaki is was highlighted by the Regional Medical Officer of

Health in his submission to the District Licensing Committee on the application for an off-

licence in Arthur Street.

Ōtaki, Dr Palmer said," a very high risk profile for alcohol-related harm linked to off-

license alcohol."

He also noted that “Ōtaki is one of the highest Census Area Units for alcohol-related

conditions for the whole of the greater Wellington region."

Kāpiti Coast District Council has begun the process of developing an LAP that would cover

this area.

This follows an initiative of Cr James Cootes, who successfully promoted a motion at the

Ōtaki Community Board late last year, asking the council to prioritise an LAP for Ōtaki (or

the district).”

We need the council to move as quickly as possible on this initiative to enhance the well-

being of our community.