Source: Hapai Te Hauora
Hāpai Te Hauora is strongly opposing the Government’s announcement to weaken already unacceptable alcohol laws, calling the move a disgrace that hands more power to the alcohol industry at the expense of whānau.
“This move is a disgrace. Communities are already sick of the harm caused by the alcohol industry, and loosening the laws shifts even more power away from them. For decades, alcohol has been given a free ride in Aotearoa – promoted widely, advertised during prime time, and sold on almost every corner, despite the overwhelming evidence of the harm it causes. These measures will only ensure that continues,” says Jason Alexander, Chief Operating Officer of Hāpai Te Hauora.
Hāpai has consistently heard from whānau about the toll of alcohol harm. During Wai July – our first year running this kaupapa encouraging Tāne Māori and their whānau to swap waipiro for wai – more than 600 people registered with Hāpai, and thousands more engaged with the kaupapa online. The overwhelming response showed a clear desire among whānau to turn away from the normalisation of alcohol and reclaim healthier, alcohol-free whānau and communities.
“Just weeks after thousands of whānau followed the Wai July movement the Government’s response is to loosen alcohol laws that already cause irreversible and intergenerational damage to our whānau. It’s more than a slap in the face – it’s a gross injustice. Whānau are showing they want change, and instead of backing them, the Government is backing the industry once again,” says Jessikha Makoare, General Manager of Public Health at Hāpai Te Hauora.
Makoare notes that the Minister herself had previously signalled support for reducing alcohol sale hours, pointing to the link with crime reduction data. “Now she’s changed her mind. This is a clear example of how alcohol lobbying has shifted the dial. Once again, it’s profit over people,” she says.
Recent independent polling commissioned by the Health Coalition Aotearoa shows New Zealanders back stronger action to prevent alcohol harm. Eighty percent support banning alcohol advertising children are exposed to, seventy-one percent believe the alcohol industry should not be involved in government policymaking, and more than eighty percent back restrictions on online alcohol delivery and limiting outlet density in local neighbourhoods.
“The public want stronger protections, not weaker ones. Weakening the law now just shows the Government is listening to the alcohol lobby, not our communities,” says Alexander.
Whānau deserve better. Weakening these laws will only deepen harm and shows, once again, that this Government is ignoring evidence, ignoring the voices of health experts and communities, and choosing to serve the alcohol lobby instead of the people of Aotearoa.
