Source: Ki tua o Matariki
Alcohol Law Changes Risk Pushing Harm Further Into Everyday Life
Ki Tua o Matariki (KToM) is warning that proposed changes to alcohol laws could increase harm for whānau Māori by making alcohol more visible, more accessible, and more normalised in everyday spaces.
The Government has announced reforms aimed at reducing barriers for businesses, including limiting who can object to alcohol licences, allowing wineries, breweries and distilleries to hold both on- and off-licences, and enabling places like barbers and hairdressers to serve alcohol.
KToM CEO Zoe Witika-Hawke says the changes risk shifting alcohol further into daily life at a time when many whānau are already under pressure.
“These changes might seem small on their own, but together they make alcohol more present in our everyday environments- and that matters,” says Witika-Hawke. We know alcohol outlets are more concentrated in lower-income communities, while access to health support is often more limited. “That imbalance matters- because it shapes the environments our whānau are living in every day.”
“Alcohol harm is not just about individual choice. It’s shaped by how available it is, where it shows up, and what becomes normal.”
Whānau Already Carrying the Load
The reforms come as many whānau face increasing financial pressure, with petrol prices in Tāmaki Makaurau now sitting above $3 per litre, alongside rising costs of food, rent, and power.
“Our whānau are already making tough choices every day- between fuel, kai, and keeping the lights on,” says Witika-Hawke. “At a time like this, increasing access to alcohol raises real questions about priorities.”
Community Voice at Risk
One of the most significant changes would restrict who can object to alcohol licence applications. KToM says this risks weakening community voice- particularly for Māori communities whose boundaries and realities do not align with territorial authority lines.
“Our communities know what harm looks like where they live,” says Witika-Hawke. Liquor stores
“Reducing their ability to speak into these decisions removes an important layer of protection.”
FASD and Intergenerational Impact
KToM is also highlighting the ongoing impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), with estimates suggesting 1,800 to 3,000 babies every year may be affected. That’s roughly 8 babies per day.
FASD is lifelong and preventable and disproportionately impacts tamariki Māori.
“Every increase in alcohol availability increases risk- particularly for māmā hapū navigating stress and systemic barriers,” says Witika-Hawke.
“We need to be clear- this is not about blaming māmā. Stigma has never prevented harm. Safe environments and strong support systems do.”
A Wider Direction of Travel
KToM says the proposed changes sit within a broader shift away from prevention-focused policy.
“We’ve seen smokefree protections rolled back, and now alcohol access expanded,” says Witika-Hawke.
“Taken together, these decisions shape the conditions our whānau are living in.”
Alcohol harm is already estimated to cost Aotearoa $9.1 billion annually, placing pressure on communities and an already stretched health system.
Calling for Balance
KToM acknowledges the importance of economic growth but says it must not come at the expense of whānau wellbeing.
“We are not anti-business- we are pro-whānau,” says Witika-Hawke.
“If we want safer communities and healthier futures, alcohol policy must prioritise prevention, not increased exposure.”
Looking Ahead
Ki Tua o Matariki is calling for a balanced approach that protects community voice, strengthens prevention, and invests in whānau wellbeing.
“Our whānau are already carrying enough,” says Witika-Hawke.
“Policy should reduce harm- not make it easier to access.”
