Hamiltonians’ views on alcohol access and related matters in their community, are the focus of a Hamilton City Council survey launched today.
The survey, open until Tuesday 24 February 2026, seeks to understand how Hamiltonians experience alcohol in their neighbourhoods, public spaces, and daily lives.
Council’s Regulatory Services Director Cory Lang said community insight is essential at this early part of the process.
“Every perspective helps. This is an opportunity for people in Hamilton to shape the conversation from the very beginning,” Lang said.
“We want to understand how alcohol is part of people’s lives across the city, and whether residents feel the current approach is working well or if there’s interest in, or a need for, exploring local rules.”
Feedback from the survey will be considered alongside data and insights from licensing, health agencies, and Police. This information will help Council decide whether to proceed and draft a Local Alcohol Policy.
A Local Alcohol Policy, if developed, could set Hamilton‑specific rules to guide alcohol licensing decisions. These could include the hours alcohol can be sold, licence density, or how close a business selling alcohol can be to sensitive sites like schools or marae.
To read more or to fill in the survey, visit a Hamilton City Library or hamilton.govt.nz/haveyoursay.