Liquor-free zones are used to help manage drinking in public places to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all people in them.

They were first introduced in Tauranga in 2004 in response to community requests. These areas were liquor-free during certain times of particular days. They were amended in 2008 to make these areas liquor-free 24/7, and three new zones were added in December 2010.

We don’t create liquor-free zones for no reason. Council’s job is to be the voice of the community when making decisions on things that affect the residents and ratepayers of Tauranga.  Members of the community suggest liquor-free zones to the Council. We investigate the suggestions and consult the public on them.  If we find that a liquor-free zone may help improve behaviour in some areas, we will put one in.

Liquor-free and vehicle free zones in public places bylaw 2010

Tauranga City Council has a liquor-free and vehicle free zones in public places bylaw in place for the city.  The purpose of the bylaw is to encourage responsible behaviour in identified public places within the city where groups of people gather frequently, and to limit the effects of alcohol on those people and places.

The bylaw contains a combination of permanent and temporary liquor-free zones, as well as temporary vehicle-free zones for the New Year’s Eve summer period. Permanent liquor-free zones are:

• Tauranga CBD
• Mount Maunganui, including the main beach but excluding Pilot Bay
• Memorial Park and the Fourth Avenue extension
• Waitaha Reserve, including the Welcome Bay Hall site
• Grenada Park
• the Merivale shops and Surrey Grove Reserve.

View the liquor-free and vehicle free zones in public places bylaw 2010 (1.1mb pdf). 

Tauranga CBD Liquor-Free Zone	Mount Maunganui Liquor-Free Zone
Memorial Park & 4th Avenue Liquor-Free Zone	Merivale
Waitaha Reserve and Welcome Bay Hall	Grenada Park

New Year period liquor-free zones

During the New Year period the liquor-free zone in Mount Maunganui is expanded and a temporary liquor-free zone in Papamoa is introduced.

Temporary liquor-free zones

The liquor-free and vehicle free zones in public places bylaw 2010 (1.1mb pdf) includes provision for temporary liquor-free zones to be established for events.

The Council may, by resolution, prohibit the consumption, bringing and possession of liquor for a place, time period and event specified in that resolution ("temporary liquorfree zone").

View temporary liquor-free zones