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Alcohol licences

New Zealand and international research [8-10] highlights a clear relationship between the density of alcohol outlets (and the proximity of outlets to residential areas, and areas of higher social deprivation) and measures of alcohol-related harm, although the relationships are complex [11]. Broadly, a greater availability of alcohol leads to increased consumption, which in turn leads to more social harms (including antisocial behaviour, dishonesty offences, property damage, and violent offences) [11]. However, the level of social harm is also influenced by local factors such as population demographics including deprivation, differences in access to transport networks, and differences in the amenity or character of an area [11].

This indicator presents alcohol licence density per 10,000 population aged 15 years and over, by licence type, for greater Christchurch and New Zealand, for 2016 (the licence types are: off-licence— such as supermarket and grocery store; on-licence — bar, restaurant; and club-licence — an on-licence that allows a club to sell alcohol to club members and certain guests and visitors).

The alcohol licence density in greater Christchurch, 2016, is lower than for New Zealand as a whole across the three main licence types: on-licence (15.5 outlets and 17.6 outlets per 10,000 population), off-licence (5.1 outlets and 7.2 outlets per 10,000 population) and club licences (3.5 outlets and 4.9 outlets per 10,000 population), respectively.