The following reearch evidence was prepared in support of the Medical Officer of Health, Hutt Valley Health at a hearing of the Liquor Licensing Authority on applications from Kapiti Pak N Save or Petone Pak N Save for licence extensions to permit the sale of beer and wine 24 hours a day. Even small or local changes in hours of sale have significant local impacts. Changed hours of trading have however shown little effect on total sales. This indicates that later and longer hours for alcohol sales contributed disproportionately to heavier drinking and drunken behaviour. Premises that open later than others in an area attract migrating drinkers, with increased street disorder.
Young males are the heaviest drinkers and beer, sold now by supermarkets, is their drink of choice.
Minors have reported a lower rate of refusals from supermarkets than other sources. All the above findings indicate that it is likely that access by young and heavier drinkers to 24 hour beer and wine from Kapiti or Petone Pak N Save or any other supermarket will contribute to local levels of alcohol related harm.