Healthy Families East Cape – collective alcohol submission to Ōpōtiki District Council
Photo: Healthy Families NZ
Alongside alcohol system partners, Healthy Families East Cape recognises that alcohol related harm is not experienced uniformly across the populations, with disproportionate levels of harm being experienced within some particular contexts more than others.
We all want our communities to be safe and healthy places wherever we live, learn, work or play.
Overall, New Zealanders are drinking too much, too often and more alcohol leads to more harm. The intoxicating effects and other physiological impacts caused by our drinking behaviour can lead to many health and social concerns for people who use alcohol, as well as people who are impacted by another person’s drinking.
For many of our communities the amount of alcohol and the pattern of drinking is causing harm to themselves, and others. It is this significant health harm which has a particular impact on our tamariki.
Healthy Families East Cape are active members of the regional alcohol collective, and will be hosting the collective in Tairāwhiti at the regional hui in April. This is a collaborative group made up of services and organisations working in the alcohol space from a prevention perspective.
In collaboration with Te Ao Hou Trust and Whakaatu Whanaunga Trust, Healthy Families East Cape recently submitted in opposition to four new liquor license requests in Ōpōtiki, with a focus on the inclusion and prioritisation of whānau voice and lived realities.
"This submission is about protecting our whānau and ensuring Ōpōtiki remains a safe and healthy place for future generations. Our community has spoken loud and clear—alcohol harm is a real issue here, and we can’t afford to ignore it. We’re calling for action to reduce the impact of alcohol in our town and create a safer environment for everyone." Healthy Families East Cape Rautaki Māori, Jade Kameta.
By minimising alcohol harm, we can expect to see a range of outcomes including better health and wellbeing, a reduction in crime and alcohol-fuelled violence and reduced road fatalities. Less alcohol in our communities also positively affects people’s sense of safety and freedom to move around our city or neighbourhood.
There are many opportunities at different levels of the system to influence and make change to reduce the harm caused by alcohol, including through policy and legislation.
To read the full submission, click here.