Mayor welcomes tighter local control | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

The Government's liquor reform package is a chance for communities to create their own drinking environment, says Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws.

Mr Laws was speaking after the Government released a raft of 126 proposed changes to liquor laws, aiming to reduce harm to young people while leaving "responsible New Zealanders" free to make their own decisions about the way they drink.

The Government's measures include:

Local authorities will be able to decide how many liquor outlets they have, and will have a greater say on density, locality and hours of trade.

Restricted opening and closing hours will be set - 7am till 11pm for an off-licence and 8am till 4am for bars.

An adult providing alcohol to a person under 18 will need to get permission from a parent or guardian.

Penalties for liquor offences will increase.

A split drinking age - 18-year-olds can go to bars but the limit will be 20 for off-licences.

The age split will be subject to a conscience vote in Parliament but all other changes are Government policy. Mr Laws said the changes were "long overdue but the right step nonetheless".

"New Zealand has a drinking culture that has steadily worsened over the past two generations.

"Easier access to alcohol, and products specifically targeting at the young, have made the social fallout much more harmful."

Mr Laws said Wanganui regularly suffered from drunken teenagers indulging in anti-social acts, including vandalism and violence.

Mr Laws said the Government's liquor package allowed Wanganui to play a part in "creating our own drinking environment".

"That debate and discussion can now occur."

He poured scorn, however, on the idea of a split drinking age.

"It is ludicrous and a sop to the hospitality industry.

"It should have been 20 [years old] - end of story," he said.