What changes have been made to alcohol laws in New Zealand?

The government has relaxed restrictions on alcohol sales during certain public holidays such as Easter, Christmas, and Anzac Day.

What are the new advertising rules in New Zealand?

Restrictions on broadcasting advertising during Sundays and certain public holidays have been eased to allow more commercial activity.

Why are people concerned about these changes?

Critics argue the changes reduce shared public space and increase commercialisation, particularly during times traditionally set aside for rest or reflection.

Does this have anything to do with religion?

While the rules historically relate to Christian observances, critics say the issue is now about preserving non-commercial time rather than religious practice.

I’m no Christian but Easter, Sunday & Christmas should be sacred

ByMartyn Bradbury 3 April 20265 April 2026

Jesus Christ that's one hell of a way to spend Easter!

The quiet erosion of shared public space is happening in plain sight, as the Government loosens restrictions on alcohol sales and advertising during Easter, Christmas, and Sundays. What’s being sold as modernisation is starting to look more like total commercialisation.

Parliament relaxes alcohol laws for Easter, Anzac Day and Christmas

Law News

This isn’t about religion — it’s about shared time

Look.

I’m not religious.

I’m an Atheist Marxist, my beef with boozing on Easter, Christmas and ANZAC Day and allowing adverts on Sundays has nothing to do with religion.

I just believe that we require time off, we require public holidays where we all go out and share our public spaces together and salute those public servants working on the public holiday.

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I believe we need time off where booze isn’t being rammed down our throat.

I believe we need broadcasting space where adverts aren’t being jammed down our throat.

I appreciate Kerrin believes he’s polishing his gumboot salt of the earth bloke image by allowing booze to be sold on Easter, Christmas and ANZAC Day but it’s actually a complete cultural capitulation to the booze barons and their booze culture.

We can’t have three days where you can’t buy booze?

Really?

When everything becomes commercial, what’s left?

What about the decision by this little dumpling allowing corporations to ram their adverts down our throat on Sundays…

Government allows advertising to be broadcast on Christmas, Sundays

The government says scrapping advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and some public holidays could generate a multimillion dollar annual boost for the industry.

Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith said new legislation passed its third reading in Parliament on Tuesday.

Section 81 of the Broadcasting Act prohibits broadcast television advertising on Sunday and Anzac Day mornings, between 6am and noon.

Similar restrictions were in place for both television and radio broadcast advertising on Christmas Day, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.

Goldsmith said the move would make the media sector more competitive.

RNZ