PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONRoyal assent has been given to an amendment of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act today, allowing premises already open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday to now sell alcohol under normal licence conditions. A member’s Bill from Labour MP Kieran McAnulty, amending the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to allow premises that are already open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day morning and Christmas Day to sell alcohol under normal licence conditions, passed its third reading yesterday. Brew Bar manager Jasmine Ngatai said she had been ‘‘waiting very patiently’’ for the verdict and was excited to see the Act was being amended. ‘‘Literally, it will give all the hospitality venues a choice whether you want to open on these public holidays or not. At present, bars and restaurants can only sell alcohol if the patron is ‘‘residing or lodging’’ on the premises, or ‘‘present on the premises to dine’’.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 01, 2026 19:08 UTC