How a small Khandallah pub could change our licensing rules

Wednesday, 28 May 2025

The Wellington City Council’s often-warring factions have found common ground over a Khandallah stoush and how it signals a need for alcohol reform.

And it seems they may have some support from Parliament, with Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee confirming on Tuesday she had already asked for advice from officials on “how we can best improve regulation and remove barriers to growth in the events, hospitality and services industries”.

The Post on Monday reported on how the Wellington District Licensing Committee, which decides liquor licences for the Wellington City Council, granted a one month pause on a licence for a planned Khandallah pub after the local residents’ association asked for an extension.

Wharangi/Onslow-Western ward councillor Diane Calvert has now called for changes to make liquor licensing easier with less red tape. She said she had a majority of the council behind her, with mayor Tory Whanau and every councillor, bar one, who responded by deadline confirming their support.

Nicola Young, Ray Chung, Rebecca Matthews, Geordie Rogers, Tim Brown, and Ben McNulty – of vastly different and often-bickering political stripes – all backed the plan. The only one who responded and opposed the idea was pouiwi Liz Kelly.

“The Government should be sitting up and taking notice because this is not just Wellington – we are following legislation,” Calvert said.

On Monday, she filed “requested actions” with the council and mayor: To review the Khandallah case, to modernise the requirements for public notification including the use of social media, and to make it clear on notices what was included in the licence.

In the case of the planned Khandallah pub, this would make it clear that off licence, or takeaway, sales would be incidental, such as people enjoying a craft beer and wanting some to take home.

Calvert also called for “more transparency” from community organisations claiming to speak for the community. This came after the Onslow Residents’ Community Association claimed to speak “on behalf of the residents of Khandallah and the local community” only to have some in the community saying it did not speak for them.

Calvert asked that the council or District Licensing Authority do a broader review including reducing “unnecessary delays and administrative surprises” and improved transparency and predictability in the process.

The council late last year looked at developing its own Local Alcohol Policy - local alcohol rules, largely around city safety, that an internal email showed was partly aimed at making the licensing more “time and cost efficient by reducing the number of objections/oppositions”.

Calvert opposed that, and it was ditched earlier this year. She said on Tuesday that the Local Alcohol Policy was about adding barriers to licensees while her changes were about removing them.

Kelly, of Ngāti Toa, said concerns such as transparency and small business impacts had already been addressed through recent reforms, including the 2023 Community Participation Amendment Act.

“These changes followed wide public consultation and were designed to improve fairness and strengthen community input,” she said.

“It’s important that elected representatives reflect the full legal and policy context, including obligations under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act.

“If there are wider systemic concerns, they should be directed to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority or the Ministry of Justice.”

Central city bar owner Greig Wilson, who has had numerous struggles with licensing authorities, opposed the Local Alcohol Policy as “regulation on regulation” but “100% backed” Calvert’s call.

A council spokesperson they would be responding to Calvert’s email, taking into account the fact district licensing was independent of the council and operated according to statute.