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Hospo sector 'really pleased' as Parliament passes bill easing Easter alcohol sale restrictions

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 2 Apr 2026, 8:48am
Photo / 123rf
Photo / 123rf

Hospo sector 'really pleased' as Parliament passes bill easing Easter alcohol sale restrictions

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 2 Apr 2026, 8:48am

Bars and pubs are waving goodbye to tricky holiday alcohol restrictions, with a bill to loosen them passing its final reading last night. 

Labour MP Kieran McAnulty's bill will let hospitality venues sell alcohol across Easter, Anzac Day morning, and Christmas Day without having to serve a meal. 

It's set to get Royal Assent today, in time for the long weekend. 

Hospitality New Zealand’s Head of Advocacy Sam MacKinnon told Mike Hosking it’s a material change that improves customer experience. 

He says it may only seem like it impacts a couple of days across the year, but for the hospitality operators, it makes a big difference.  

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