Auckland Mayor John Banks will not support reducing the opening hours of bars in the Viaduct area.
Some residents have complained that the downtown area of bars, restaurants and apartments has become too noisy and prone to violence on weekends.
They want the council to reduce the round-the-clock drinking hours.
But Mr Banks says he does not believe the area has become any worse.
He says shortening the licensing hours would not work during times like the international yachting regatta announced on Monday when the city should be at its most vibrant.
He says the council will work hard to police liquor licences.
Meanwhile, police say it appears no one else was involved in the death of a transient man whose body, with wrists and ankles bound, was found floating in the Viaduct area.
Selwyn John Wallace's body was found under the Wynard Wharf last month, and investigators launched a homicide inquiry.
Police say some final forensic matters remain to be sorted out before the death is referred to the coroner.
