After years of community advocacy and 168 formal objections, the Bottle-O on Bairds Road has been refused a renewal of its off-licence – a significant win for Ōtara residents who have been calling for change for years.
The ruling on the Bottle-O outlet’s licence application – the last in Ōtara Town Centre – came after a hearing where evidence was presented by residents, community organisations, the local board and other agencies.
Police stated that the presence of the store contributed significantly to antisocial behaviour in the centre.
The decision follows a long-running campaign led by the Ōtara Gambling and Alcohol Action Group (OGAAG), with local residents sharing their experiences of alcohol-related harm and its impact on the town centre through the licensing process.
The Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board has supported OGAAG and community participation in alcohol licensing cases for more than 10 years.
Since 2014, the local board has formally objected to liquor licence applications where it had concerns about alcohol-related harm.
It has also invested in building the community’s ability to advocate for itself, providing $20,000 in funding to help residents and community groups understand the licensing process and make effective objections.
Chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says: “The Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board is proud to support and put funding behind initiatives like this which empower our communities.
“Too often our families are just trying to survive and make ends meet, so when faced with a system that requires time, effort and energy to make a complaint, many in our community don't.”
For OGAAG, the outcome represents years of persistence. The volunteer group has been working in different ways for around 20 years to reduce alcohol and gambling harm in Ōtara-Papatoetoe.
OGAAG advocate Victoria Hearn says: “We want Ōtara Town Centre to be known for its strengths, not alcohol-related issues. Ōtara is a vibrant, proud and diverse community with incredible people, culture, businesses and leadership. That’s what should define our town centre. We want families to feel comfortable spending time there and local businesses to have a place where they can thrive.
“Most of all, I want people to feel proud of their town centre. This is about creating the kind of town centre our community deserves and wants for the future.”
Ward councillors Alf Filipaina and Lotu Fuli have stood side by side with the community to advocate against the damaging impacts of alcohol in south Auckland.
“As a former police officer in south Auckland and as a Manukau City councillor from 2003, I know the harm alcohol does in our community, so I congratulate all those who have been on this journey."
Councillor Fuli says issues have increased as cheap alcohol became more accessible, with more liquor stores opening in local neighbourhoods.
“Communities across Ōtara, Papatoetoe and Māngere have raised concerns for years, so it’s pleasing to see the community, police, Auckland Council, the local board, OGAAG and Māori Wardens come together to successfully oppose the renewal of the last liquor store licence in Ōtara town centre,” she adds.
Image credit: OGAAG
The need for the community’s advocacy work is well documented. Research into Ōtara-Papatoetoe has identified high levels of deprivation alongside a high density of liquor stores and multiple bottle stores within close proximity to local schools.
Health data has also shown alcohol-attributable hospitalisation rates in Ōtara-Papatoetoe above national and Auckland averages, particularly among men.
The OGAAG team with Chair Apulu and Councillor Lotu Fuli at a recent catch-up. Image credit: Councillor Lotu Fuli.
Local alcohol policy in action
The decision also comes as Auckland’s Local Alcohol Policy is now in force, after almost a decade of legal challenges.
The policy introduces tighter rules around where new alcohol retailers can open and shorter trading hours, with Ōtara identified as a priority area where no new liquor licences can be issued for the first two years.
Ben Brooks, Senior Policy Manager at Auckland Council, says the decision shows the local alcohol policy in action.
“This outcome highlights the value of a local alcohol policy, enabling communities to have a stronger voice in decisions about alcohol sales in their neighbourhoods.
“Auckland’s local alcohol policy has only been in effect since December 2024, but we’re already seeing clear signs – like this decision – that it is having a positive impact on alcohol-related harm, and working as intended,” he says.
Earlier this year, Auckland Council reported that the local alcohol policy is showing early signs of success, with Police and health data suggesting alcohol-related harm has been trending downward.
There is more work ahead, but for Ōtara, this is a significant milestone – and a powerful example of what can happen when a community stay committed to the change it wants to see.
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