Impacts of local alcohol policies – Analysis of changes in spending at venues selling alcohol

This report describes changes in spending patterns at venues licensed to sell alcohol associated with the introduction of local alcohol policies for two areas; Waimakariri and a joint local alcohol policy in Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty. The analysis found no evidence for a reduction in total spending at on-licences in the areas examined. However, there was evidence for changes in the composition of spending by outlet and by day of the week. There was evidence for a shift in spending from on-licences to bottle stores and mixed evidence for reductions in trading hours associated with earlier spending.

The analysis is based on credit-card and EFT-POS card spending between 2009 and April 2016, and the types of venue examined is limited to off-licence bottle stores and on-licences (bars, pubs and taverns; and licensed cafes and restaurants).