7 Jul 2015

Drink drive laws hit country pubs

8:46 am on 7 July 2015

Country pubs say they are still suffering losses more than six months after changes to drink drive limits meant people stopped buying so many drinks.

Whangamomona Hotel

The Whangamomona Hotel. Photo: Wiki Commons

A report from Hospitality New Zealand tracking industry trends suggests the legislation changes might even be forcing some rural businesses under.

The owner of the Gladstone Hotel, near Carterton, Ray Wolff said he had noticed a drop in business.

"We have a locals night only [on] Wednesday and our patronage is down by, say two thirds."

Mr Wolff said he was adapting to the changes by offering more low and zero alcohol options for patrons.

The owner of the Whangamomona Hotel near Stratford in Taranaki Richard Pratt said he had noticed a shift in the dynamics of the industry.

"I find it's challenging from a point of view that we live in a society where we take away the responsibility of the individual and we expect other people to manage that."

Hospitality New Zealand expected to release an update on industry trends every six months.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs