Health experts are calling for tougher alcohol sale restrictions from councils, but Ashburton says its rules are "fair and firm”.

Ashburton's bars, restaurants and taverns can sell alcohol until 2am, while supermarkets and bottle stores can sell booze until 9.30pm.

Health Coalition Aotearoa alcohol expert panel co-chairperson Steve Randerson wants local leaders nationally to curb the availability of alcohol.

The combined opening hours of bars, bottle stores and supermarkets allow people to buy alcohol 21 hours a day in some regions.

"If you can reduce the hours, you can then reduce the harm,” Randerson said.

But Ashburton District Council reviewed its alcohol policy last year and won’t look at it again until 2029.

Compliance and development group manager Ian Hyde said the council went through a robust process to ensure the restrictions were strong enough and met community expectations.

He also said there were 117 licensed premises in the Ashburton District. Of those, 22 were in the Ashburton CBD.

"Given the high level of engagement from the community during consultation in 2023 that fed into the development of the policy, we believe it is fair and firm in addressing local alcohol matters.”

The consultation received 42 submissions, with seven speaking at the public hearing in August last year.

The council amended the policy, aligning the cut-off time for licensed footpath areas with the one-way door restriction, meaning those leaving bars or licensed venues were not allowed to re-enter them after 1am.

A further 32 submissions were received, with three submitters speaking at a hearing in November.

The policy was adopted in December 2024, with the new trading hours and the district-wide 1am one-way door restriction coming into effect on March 14.

The council also adopted an updated alcohol control bylaw last year, which extended the liquor ban areas in Ashburton and Methven.

Randerson commended the Ashburton council for having limits shorter than the national trading hours in its policy.

"There is room to do more but it does need to come down to local circumstances.

"It’s important that their policies are consulted upon and reflect what the community is witnessing and calling for.”

By Jonathan Leask