Tauranga businesses and police are welcoming the introduction of a new liquor ban bylaw which will come into force next Monday, December 1.

Police believe the new liquor ban will better enable them to cope with drunken disorder in the CBD.
The revamped liquor ban will expand the liquor free zones in Mount Maunganui and will cover the entire Tauranga CBD between 1st Avenue and Marsh Street, which will now be enforced permanently.
Memorial Park and the harbour end of 4th Avenue will also be included in the liquor ban for the first time.
The changes to the liquor ban were introduced after submissions from police and members of the public were made when it came up for review earlier this year.
Nigel McClone, Tauranga's liquor licensing sergeant, says the expanded liquor zone will create a buffer zone enabling police to better deal with intoxicated people.
'It does not mean we have to put more police on the beat but it does mean we can deal with people in a broader area before they become a problem.
'The limited area under the previous liquor ban also meant that people could be there drinking, just outside the area but were still contributing to problems,” says Nigel.
He says the previous liquor ban was confusing for the public and police, and people could still walk around drinking during the day.
Paul Mason, team leader of environmental monitoring at Tauranga City Council, says the enhanced liquor ban will better enable police to address the issue of youth and homeless drinking in the CBD.
'It's about limiting the potential for the abuse of alcohol. There has been a trend amongst youths to drink in their cars on the outskirts of town before heading to night clubs and bars and the new ban aims to curb this,” says Paul.
Kirby Weis, Tauranga Mainstreet manager, says he has always been in support of extending the liquor ban and believes it will make the CBD safer.
'We thought that if the liquor ban encompassed all of the CBD it would make it a safer place for shoppers, patrons, business owners and the rest of the general public.
'If people are drinking in town, we want them to be drinking at the bars and the other places where they are legally allowed to drink so it can be controlled and we can make sure people drink responsibly,” says Kirby.
The previous liquor ban, which came into force in 2004, covered The Strand, part of Devonport Road and the adjoining side streets and was only enforced Thursday – Sunday between 12 midday and 6am the following day.
Vehicle free zones over the New Year period in the Tauranga CBD and Mount Maunganui will also be included in the bylaw.