The government this week announced reforms to alcohol laws aimed at cutting red tape, which would stop people objecting to liquor licences if they did not live or work nearby. Bede Crestani, who lives in Wellington but has objected to licence applications in Dunedin, said such a change could undermine the work of the Sophia Charter. Alcohol contributed "in a major way" to his daughter's death and he did not want other people to die, he said. Photo: RNZ"Alcohol is responsible for a lot of death and it contributed in a major way to our daughter's death. The change to objections ensured they came from people or organisations with a direct connection to the local community affected, she said.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 17, 2026 15:37 UTC