'Noble' NZ pursuit gets MPs' backing

Licensed venues can screen any World Cup game but must observe strict alcohol serving guidelines. Photo / File

Parliament fast-tracks law so rugby fans can drink in bars as they watch World Cup.

There is something "noble" about Kiwis getting together to collectively will the All Blacks to win, Parliament heard last night as it fast-tracked a law to allow bars to open and televise any game in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

National list MP Chris Bishop was explaining his support for the law.

"There is some kind of collective endeavour about willing the All Blacks on - or willing the Springboks on if you are South African.

"It's slightly irrational ... but there is this sense that if you all get together and wish that they win as much as you can, it will happen.

"There is something noble about doing that, almost," he said.

The bill, which amends the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, passed by 99 to 21. The Greens, the Maori Party and six Labour MPs, including Port Hills MP Ruth Dyson, Hauraki-Waikato MP Nanaia Mahuta, Manukau East MP Jenny Salesa, Mangere MP Su'a William Sio, Ikaroa Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri, and Christchurch East MP Poto Williams opposed it. Labour had a conscience vote.

Sponsored by Act leader David Seymour, it will allow bars, pubs and licensed clubs to open and televise any of the World Cup games.

The licensee can open up an hour before each televised game but must stop selling alcohol 30 minutes after each game ends - unless it is within an hour of the next televised game.

District Licensing Committees can approve licences for special events but Mr Seymour had heard some were adding conditions, such as requiring a speaker or being a costumed event, although in some areas special licences had already been granted.

There will be conditions to bars extending hours to show RWC games: there must be no outdoor speakers; no discarding of empty bottles and no use of outdoor courtyard areas.

Police would have to be given seven days' notice. Premises which have had their licences varied or suspended in the previous 12 months will not be able to extend their hours.

And if the police apply to suspend or cancel a licence during the RWC period, the bar will no longer be able to extend hours to show games.

"This is a victory for the presumption that New Zealanders are free to do as they please unless they give justifications for their freedoms being restricted," Mr Seymour said.

"This is as opposed to where you are presumed unfree unless you can justify yourself to the busy-bodies."

Labour's Grant Robertson said the bill was about a sense of community, not about people going on "benders".

But the Greens said the bill was undemocratic and rode roughshod over local licensing decisions.

Mr Seymour promoted the bill after he was told some licensed premises were having difficulty getting licences for special events under the act. The Greens originally blocked the bill but changed their minds after being accused of being "wowsers".

But MP Kevin Hague said the party decided to support the bill to select committee on the understanding National and Act would be prepared to make changes to reduce potential harm caused by drinking to all hours.

The party had not wanted bars nears schools and kindergartens opened and had wanted it to apply only to All Blacks games.

"This approach ... effectively rides roughshod over [local government decision-making] processes."

His colleague Jan Logie said bars could have been opened to watch the games but without alcohol being sold.

National Minister Nick Smith said the Greens made themselves look out of touch with New Zealanders who just wanted to enjoy themselves.