Alcohol Control Bylaw

2.1 This Bylaw shall come into force on 20 November 2015 and shall apply to the whole of the Gisborne District.

Related information:

This bylaw was amended on 21 August 2025 following a review of the bylaw on 27 March 2025 and those amendments came into force on 1 October 2025.

3.1 This bylaw is made under the authority of section 147 and 147A of the Local Government Act 2002.

4.1 The purpose of this bylaw is to regulate and control the consumption of alcohol in public places,  the bringing of alcohol onto public places and the possession of alcohol in public places in order to reduce the incidents of alcohol related harm.

5.1 In this bylaw, unless the context otherwise requires:

5.2 The Interpretation Act 1999 applies to this bylaw.

5.3 Explanatory Notes attached to this bylaw are for information purposes only and do not form part of this bylaw and may be made, revoked, amended or replaced by Council at any time.

6.1 Every person is prohibited from consuming, bringing into, or possessing alcohol in any restricted area (including in a vehicle).

7.1 Council may by ordinary resolution, for the purposes of regulating or controlling a large scale event, make a restricted area prohibiting or restricting the bringing into, consumption, or possession of alcohol in public place (including in a vehicle within the public spaces).

7.2 Council must, before making an alcohol ban under clause 7.1 be satisfied that the proposed ban:

• (a) is for a large scale event and not suitable for consideration for a permanent restricted area; and
• (b) gives effect to the purpose of this bylaw.

8.1 A constable may use their powers, including the power of search under the Local Government Act 2002 to enforce this bylaw.

8.2 In addition to the general powers under sections 169 and 170 of the Local Government Act 2002, the Police may exercise the power under section 170(2) of that Act (to search a container or vehicle immediately and without further notice) on specified dates or in relation to specified events notified in accordance with section 170(3) of that Act.

9.1 Every person who breaches this bylaw commits an offence.

9.2 Every person who commits an offence under this bylaw is liable to a penalty under the Local Government Act 2002.

1. Definition of Alcohol from s.5(1) of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

alcohol means a substance—

(a)  that—

• (i) is or contains a fermented, distilled, or spirituous liquor; and
• (ii) at 20°C is found on analysis to contain 1.15% or more ethanol by volume;

or
(b) that—

• (i) is a frozen liquid, or a mixture of a frozen liquid and another substance or substances; and
• (ii) is alcohol (within the meaning of paragraph (a)) when completely thawed to 20°C;

or
(c) that, whatever its form, is found on analysis to contain 1.15% or more ethanol by weight in a form that can be assimilated by people

2. Definition of public place from s.147 of the Local Government Act

public place -

(a)  means a place that is open to or is being used by the public, whether free or on payment of a charge, and whether any owner or occupier of the place is lawfully entitled to exclude or eject any person from it; but

(b) does not include licensed premises.

licensed premises has the meaning given by section 5(1) of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012

3. Under s.147(4) of the Local Government Act 2002 the prohibition in clause 6 does not prohibit, regulate, or control, in the case of alcohol in an unopened container,—

(a) the transport of the alcohol from licensed premises next to a public place, if—

• (i) it was lawfully bought on those premises for consumption off those premises; and
• (ii) it is promptly removed from the public place; or

(b)  the transport of the alcohol from outside a public place for delivery to licensed premises next to the public place; or

(c)  the transport of the alcohol from outside a public place to premises next to a public place by, or for delivery to, a resident of the premises or his or her bona fide visitors; or

(d)  the transport of the alcohol from premises next to a public place to a place outside the public place if—

• (i)  the transport is undertaken by a resident of those premises; and
• (ii)  the alcohol is promptly removed from the public place.

4. Under the Local Government Act 2002 infringement fines may be issued where regulations set the fine, the Local Government (Alcohol Ban Breaches) Regulations 2013 sets the infringement fine for breach of an alcohol ban at $250.

Tokomaru Bay township, reserves and beachfront

Waima wharf

Te Puka Tavern car park