Licensing and alcohol impacts in residential neighbourhoods
Released in November 2022, “I feel it's unsafe to walk”: Impacts of alcohol supply on public space in eight neighbourhoods, and residents’ input to alcohol licensing decisions is about the effects of alcohol in public spaces where we live. It focuses on bottle stores in residential areas around Aotearoa, and the ways people have tried to appeal against them.
The report discusses:
- How alcohol impacts inclusivity or how safe and comfortable people feel in their neighbourhood
- How people feel about the way alcohol is supplied in their neighbourhoods
- What influences alcohol licensing decisions
- How institutional racism is deeply rooted within the decision-making system
- The challenges of objecting to an alcohol license for people without access to knowledge
- How the many systemic barriers mean that we need to change the way applications for licenses are granted
Research outcomes and downloadable resources
The outcomes of this research include:
- A full report, “I feel it’s unsafe to walk”: Impacts of alcohol supply on public space in eight neighbourhoods, and residents’ input to alcohol licensing decisions. Download the full report.
- A piece on The Spinoff.
- A downloadable explanation of the major findings in comic format
- A set of downloadable posters explaining how system reform can help us create safer communities
- A literature review
This research was conducted by SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, Massey University and funded by Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand (previously Te Hiringa Hauora | Health Promotion Agency) as part of the 2018-2019 Research Investment for Priorities in Alcohol for research addressing ‘the impact of alcohol on others’.
You can find information on alcohol licensing in Aotearoa on the Licensing and local policies section of this website.