Northlanders wanting to enjoy an early morning pint at the pub this Rugby World Cup are not out of luck just yet, due to urgent legislation being pushed through Parliament.
When the Advocate spoke to Hospitality New Zealand Northland representative Phil Sentch in July, he said sports bars and pubs were not bothering to apply to open for the televised London games. Special licences were being declined across the country thanks to vehement opposition from police and local bodies, he said.
Last Tuesday, however, the Act Party's David Seymour introduced a bill to Parliament that would temporarily override the special licence clauses in 2012's Sale and Supply of Liquor Act when it came to Rugby World Cup Games.
Most live games in the tournament will kick off at 3.55am or 7am New Zealand time, outside the maximum trading hours of 8am-4am specified in the act. Mr Seymour's bill successfully passed its first reading on Wednesday night.
"If responsible adults can't go and have a drink in company of friends and family, that's sad," Mr Seymour said.