Parliament recently passed the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Rugby World Cup 2015 Extended Trading Hours) Amendment Act 2015.  This Act allows bars and clubs to open for extended hours under certain conditions if they are televising live RWC games.

Key points about the temporary law change:

• Games must be televised live and it must be the primary or sole purpose of trading.  
• Other facilities such as gaming machines, TAB, music etc should not be operating during the extended hours.
• Replays can only occur during normal trading hours.
• Police and District Licensing Committee must be notified of the intention to open.
• Notification should include a Noise Management Plan and a schedule of games during which it is intended to open.
• Premises may open for business one hour before scheduled kickoff but must cease selling alcohol 30 minutes after the final whistle unless a subsequent game kicks off within 90 minutes after the prior game final whistle.
• Outdoor areas must not be used (not even for smoking) and there must be strict controls on noise.

For further information, read the ​Rugby World Cup extended hours rules factsheet developed by the Ministry of Justice. This can be found under related links on this webpage.

A Resource Kit has also been developed by Hospitality NZ to assist licensed premises who wish to extend their trading hours and is available on the Hospitality New Zealand website.