Church leaders in Kaikohe have voiced their opposition to a council plan that would allow an unlimited number of bottle stores in the Far North Town.
The Far North District Council’s draft plan would also allow supermarkets to be able to sell alcohol from 7am to 10pm seven days a week.
Of the 98 written submissions to the draft Local Alcohol Policy, many called for a cap on the amount of liquor outlets and a reduction of the hours of sale and accessibility.
The Kaikohe Church Leaders Forum said the draft policy has little community support, if any.
In a press release, the Church leaders note that a proliferation of low cost liquor outlets will increase alcohol related harm in the community.
Mike Shaw of the church leaders’ forum said there should be at least one store where those negatively affected by alcohol can still shop for food.
A police submission also calls for a cap on the amount of liquor outlets and restricting supermarkets to the sale of alcohol between 9am and 10pm, the same as proposed for the bottle stores.