Waikato District Council has adopted changes to its Alcohol Control Bylaw that will significantly expand the permanent alcohol ban area in Raglan.
The new all-year ban stretches from Puriri Park through the CBD to Raglan Area School and now covers the waterfront along Cliff St past the jetty and museum, up to the Wainui Rd Bridge. It also includes Papahua and the sports fields, the CBD, Bow St up to the Norrie Ave intersection, and all of Norrie Ave.
A special clause applies to James St, where complaints about travellers in mobile homes led Council to prohibit alcohol consumption altogether — even inside self-contained vehicles. In the rest of the ban area, alcohol consumption remains permitted in certified self-contained vehicles.
The original proposal included side streets such as Stewart St, but after feedback from the Raglan Community Board the scope of the permanent ban was reduced.
Summer ban extended too
As well as the permanent zone, the seasonal summer alcohol ban across Whaingaroa has been extended. It will now cover the Waitangi Day holiday period, in addition to the 23 December–6 January restriction.
Why the changes?
The Alcohol Control Bylaw 2020 is reviewed every five years, as required under the Local Government Act. Council staff worked with New Zealand Police to analyse incident data, which showed 722 alcohol-related incidents across the Waikato district in the last five years. Raglan, Huntly, and Tuakau recorded the highest numbers.
“Council worked closely with Police to understand the areas of concern. The bylaw is a preventative tool used by NZ Police to respond to alcohol-related anti-social behaviour,” said Waikato District Council Regulatory Services Manager, Rochelle Deane.
Council carried out community engagement in late 2024, receiving 126 survey responses. Public consultation followed in May–June this year, generating 56 submissions, with eight submitters speaking at hearings in July.
The changes were formally adopted on 18 August 2025.
