bCasts

Earlier this month, the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Committee approved Auckland Council's Provisional Local Alcohol Policy. 

If brought into effect by the council, the policy will introduce measures such as applications for new bottle shops to be very likely rejected for the next two years, bottle shops and supermarkets across Auckland will need to stop selling alcohol no later than 9pm, and bars, restaurants and other on-licences permitted by the District Licensing Committee will be able to sell alcohol until no later than 4am in the city centre, and 3am outside of the city centre.

Auckland Council will set a date for the policy to come into force at a future meeting of its governing body.

In other news, earlier this week Council reported that theft and burglary rates are down in central Auckland, dropping by 34% year on year. 

This comes after council endorsed a safety plan for the CBD, much of which is already funded and under way.

Producer Sofia spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about both of these topics, asking him firstly to explain what the current laws are and what the Provisional Local Alcohol Policy would change them to.

A council-proposed alcohol ban after nine-pee-em will be voted on and most likely go through in December. The idea behind the ban is to prevent preloading of alcohol before events, and further reduce drunkenness on Auckland streets. Supermarket corporation Foodstuffs and Woolworths have been lobbying against the proposed ban for several years, spending millions of dollars to be able to continue to sell alcohol after nine-pee-em, however the council will be voting on this decision in December. Sasha spoke to professor of population health Peter Adams from the University of Auckland about the implications of the council-proposed alcohol sale ban.

Most scientific framings of sleep problems often disregard Maori perspectives on spirituality and wellbeing, however recent research by Deanna Haami from Massey University has shown wairua is an important link to having a more holistic approach to health. The implications for physiological, mental and spiritual health from this study are important as sleep plays an important role in our daily life, including dreams and their relation to our health. Sasha spoke to Deanna Haami from Massey University on her recent study linking Wairua, sleep and health.

Steve Newall talks cinema with a review of Zoe Kravitz' new film and NZIFF We Were Dangerous on Flicks 'n' That. L.A. Mitchell hops on What's Cooking with absolutely primo selections and we hear her new single Slow Dancing.Thanks to the Beer Spot!