New rules around the sale and supply of alcohol at hospitality venues will be in place to allow Easter trading this weekend. Photo / Deposit Photos
The Governor-General has formally signed into law an act change that significantly alters how hospitality venues can serve alcohol on restricted trading days.
Sections 47 and 48 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 have been repealed to allow licensed businesses already permitted to open on Anzac Day morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day to sell alcohol under their usual licence conditions.
The move is being welcomed by hospitality venues and industry bodies.
Introduced by Labour MP Kieran McAnulty as a member’s bill in February 2025, the amendment passed its third and final reading in Parliament last night, with 66 votes to 56. It received Royal Assent today, which means the new rules will be in place to allow Easter trading this weekend.
Steve Taylor, who opened Takapuna wine bar Taylors on Hurstmere in June 2017, said he was “stoked” the amendment had passed.
He told the Herald the old law was “very confusing and annoyed a lot of my customers with different rules for the four days over Easter”.
Previously, bars or restaurants could only sell alcohol to people “residing or lodging” on premises, or “present on the premises to dine”. Liquor shops will still have to stay closed and supermarket alcohol restrictions remain unchanged.
Taylor said the changes will “make it easier for struggling hospitality venues to focus on doing what we do best and looking after our guests”.
Industry body Hospitality NZ said it was “thrilled” with the changes.
Chief executive Kristy Phillips said the not-for-profit organisation had long advocated for the relaxation of restricted trading days and is delighted with the rule change.
“Our members are looking forward to welcoming guests to their venues as they would any other weekend of the year.”
While the law change is now in effect, Phillips said many members of the public won’t be aware that venues can now operate as normal.
“We encourage people to go and enjoy your local venue or make the most of the hospitality on offer if travelling across the motu this weekend.”
Chris Brett, hotel manager for voco & Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre, which includes rooftop venue Bar Albert, said it was “encouraging” to see MPs taking a “modern, thoughtful approach” by reviewing the legislation. In his view, it was a welcome step to support businesses
“The passing of this bill gives hospitality businesses greater flexibility to make common‑sense decisions that better serve international visitors, while still respecting the significance and traditions of occasions such as Anzac Day.”
Brett was unconcerned about the short time frame hospitality businesses had to transition to the new rules, saying “it becomes business as usual for us”.
McAnulty previously told 1News the legislation was aimed at clearing up a “confusing law” that had been in place for a long time.
“Just because something’s always been that way doesn’t mean that that’s a good reason to keep it,” he said.
The general requirement was for people to order a “substantial meal” alongside alcohol, but McAnulty said what constituted a meal of substance was not defined, and patrons were not required to eat it anyway.
“That is a bit of a farce of a situation. So all we’re doing is clearing it up that those businesses that are already able to operate anyway can do so under normal conditions, and those that can’t, like off-licences and supermarkets, they remain restricted. But for those on-licences that are already operating, they can do so normally.”
New Zealand First and Green MPs opposed the bill.
Greens MP Kahurangi Carter said the party had a long history of fighting for alcohol harm reduction laws, and believed the whole Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act needed to be reworked.
“The Green Party is united in our position that we cannot support this bill,” she said.