Did New Zealand's new alcohol legislation achieve its object of facilitating public input? Qualitative study of Māori communities.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Treaty of Waitangi stipulates equality between Māori and non-Māori, yet Māori continue to have substantially poorer health, a driver of which is alcohol-related morbidity. In 2012, the New Zealand government introduced legislation claiming it would facilitate community input on decisions about alcohol. We investigated the experience of Māori communities with the new law.

DESIGN AND METHODS: We obtained submissions made to local governments and invited a diverse range of submitters from iwi (tribes), hapū (sub-tribes/clan groups) and Māori service providers, to participate in semi-structured interviews with Māori researchers. We used template analysis to develop hypotheses, and searched for disconfirmatory evidence within interview transcripts and recordings.

RESULTS: Participants had committed substantial human resources to write submissions informed by technical knowledge of liquor licensing and relevant research. They reported that local governments did not seem to engage meaningfully with the content of their submissions, and failed in many instances to update participants on how the consultation was progressing. Some observed that the alcohol industry had easier access to local politicians, and therefore expected outcomes to reflect industry interests.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In their response to Māori constituents on proposed alcohol policies, local governments were felt to lack the inclination or capacity to consult meaningfully. By devolving responsibility for alcohol availability while failing to compel and resource local government to give regard to treaty obligations, the new legislation risks widening existing health inequalities between Māori and non-Māori.