What does this event cover
A local alcohol policy can give your community a greater say in how alcohol is made available locally – but developing, reviewing or strengthening one can be a complex process.
Join Taituarā, with Alcohol Healthwatch and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora for this practical webinar designed to help you build your confidence in developing or reviewing a local alcohol policy.
You’ll explore how to build a credible evidence base using quantitative data, qualitative evidence and community experience, and why engaging early with your community and statutory partners can make a difference.
We’ll also look at some of the practical barriers councils can encounter and the guidance, resources and sector support available to help you through the process.
By the end of the session, you’ll have a better understanding of:
- what a local alcohol policy can and cannot do
- how to build a strong and defensible evidence base
- why early community and partner engagement matters
- practical considerations when developing, reviewing or strengthening a policy
- where to find useful guidance, examples and support.
Who should attend?
This webinar is for council policy advisors, alcohol licensing and compliance staff, district licensing committee support and hearings staff, democracy and governance advisors, community development and wellbeing staff, strategy staff, and senior managers who advise elected members or oversee local alcohol policy work. It is suitable for both councils with a local alcohol policy and those considering whether to develop or review one.
Programme overview
Your facilitators and guest speakers
Cathy Bruce
I started my career in local government, where I worked for 15 years, including 12 years at Christchurch City Council, and three years in London as the Alcohol Strategy Coordinator for Southwark Council. I returned to New Zealand in 2008 to take up a local government focused role with the Alcohol Advisory Council, which became part of the Health Promotion Agency in 2012 and, in turn, part of Health NZ in 2022.
In my current role, I lead a programme of work called Healthy Places – Communities Driving Change. The work focuses on national projects to support communities, local government, regulatory agencies and District Licensing Committees with a focus on the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
Jennifer Lamm
Jennifer Lamm is a lawyer, public health specialist and advisor. Her professional experience is broad. She has worked in central and local government, not for profit and private practice. Jennifer held a regulatory health promotion role at Auckland Regional Public Health Service (smokefree, alcohol and resource management). As a Senior Lawyer at Auckland Council, she specialised in public law, including bylaws, and provided advice on Auckland’s local alcohol policy. Jennifer has also worked at the Ministry of Health, where she managed a portfolio of public health contracts including those covering alcohol health promotion and the statutory role of Medical Officers of Health. Jennifer is currently with Alcohol Healthwatch, an organisation dedicated to reducing and preventing alcohol harm and inequities in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Philip Shackleton
Philip joined Taituarā in September 2025, as Principal Advisor, Sector Readiness.
He brings over 20 years of experience, and relationships in local government and the public sector.
His career includes 10 years in senior roles with councils and more recently 7 years as Principal Policy Advisor with Local Government New Zealand. He has most recently worked in leadership roles at Waka Kotahi and at EECA where he was Development Lead in the Standards and Regulations Team. Philip’s expertise includes policy development, regulatory analysis, stakeholder management, and project and programme delivery.
In his role as Principal Advisor, Sector Readiness, Philip is committed to supporting the Sector Readiness Team develop tools and resources that help the sector prepare for and successfully implement new legislation and policies.
