Latest news with #Tri-Agencies
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Gisborne Votes To Lift CBD Alcohol Restrictions, Sparks Debate
Article – Zita Campbell – Local Democracy Reporter Gisborne councillors voted to remove restrictive alcohol rules in the town centre. Gisborne district councillors have voted to scrap restrictive alcohol rules in the CBD despite recent opposition during consultation. The rules prevent new liquor licences near sensitive sites like marae and schools. Councillors argued the change would create a more vibrant CBD, but some opposed linking alcohol to vibrancy. Gisborne district councillors have voted to scrap restrictive alcohol rules within the town centre despite two-thirds of submissions opposing the move in recent consultation. Those submitting against relaxing the rules noted the region's issues with alcohol-related harm, which they say disproportionately affect Māori, and sought to protect marae, schools and sensitive sites. During a Sustainable Tairāwhiti meeting on Thursday, councillors acknowledged the region's 'dire' addiction problem, but did not believe lifting the restrictive rules would affect it. Councillors said the 'sensitive sites' rules, implemented in 2018, had created 'unintended' consequences for hospitality. The rules prevent new liquor licences – except for cafes, restaurants, and special licences – within 150m of sites such as marae, schools, spiritual facilities and recreational areas. Councillors voted to remove the rules from the central business district (CBD) to enable a more 'vibrant' town centre. Under this amendment, the District Licensing Committee will also be able to consider exemptions from the sensitive sites rules outside of the CBD, according to the council report. Councillors Nick Tupara and Ani Pahuru-Huriwai voted against the move and questioned the reasoning of equating alcohol to vibrancy. 'I don't think there is enough discussion around what a vibrant CBD can look like without needing to bring alcohol into the conversation,' Pahuru-Huriwai said. She said a point raised during submissions was that iwi partners wanted to be engaged in any conversations that took place around alcohol policies. Tupara said many submitters against removing the rules were Māori and iwi, and that Māori had suffered from the consumption of alcohol since it arrived in the country. It was 'totally wrong' that alcohol was 'the heartbeat of what makes our community', he said. 'This whole thing is a joke.' This year, public consultation found two-thirds of 207 submissions voted in support of keeping the restrictions. However, early engagement in late 2024 had shown 82% of 62 submissions and 1067 votes disagreed with keeping the rules. The option to maintain the restriction was endorsed by the Tri-Agencies – NZ Police, the National Public Health Service and the Chief Licensing Inspectorate – according to the council report. Councillor Debbie Greggory said she was well-placed to talk on the issue, as she grew up with alcohol addiction in her home, and as 15 years sober, had 'lived the road to sobriety'. 'We have an addiction problem. We have a massive need for an addiction centre, but this is not something council can provide.' Gregory said the Local Alcohol Policy (Sensitive Sites) Hearings last week exposed the region's 'gigantic problem' and she hoped the council could harness 'the energy and passion' heard from submitters to make the Government, especially the health sector, see their 'dire situation'. The region needed to expand access to treatment services and address the issue's root causes – poverty, trauma and lack of opportunity, Gregory said. She acknowledged the heightened emotion surrounding the proposed city establishment Anjuna Beer Garden, which did not open after an alcohol licence appeal from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hawaiki Hou, which is located a few doors away from the bar. Councillor Aubrey Ria said she had 'lost sleep' over the council report detailing the recommended adoption of the sensitive sites policy to be removed. She supported excluding the rules, but wanted to know if the council could offer the kura protection while it occupied its current location. 'Council planning allowed for the kura to go to its current position,' Ria said. 'I feel much aroha for them and the position that they are in.' The kura had recently been granted Government funding for four new senior school classrooms and to move to a permanent site. However, Mayor Rehette Stoltz said they did not know how long the transition could take and noted they needed to focus on the options that needed to be voted on that day. 'What if the school moves in three years?' Stoltz said the lever for sensitive sites was not the lever that would address the alcohol harm issues in the region. 'We need a collaborative, health, mental health, Government approach.' Councillor Rawinia Parata said the council's job was to govern what was best for the region, noting they were still going through a cyclone recovery period. 'For a long time, there has been significant underinvestment in our CBD [and] region … it doesn't make sense to hold us back further.' Parata said not only would they be holding the region's hospitality sector back by keeping the restrictions, they would also be holding rangatahi back. 'If we do not provide them with establishments and places to learn how to be outside, how to be in public, we're not setting them up for the world – and that's not good,' she said. Parata said on-licences had rules that controlled drinking, unlike off-licences. According to the report, in addition to the amendments to exclude the CBD from the sensitive sites rules, council-maintained cemeteries (urupā) would also be added as a sensitive site within the provisions. A date for the amended policy to take effect is yet to be confirmed, but it will be in May or June. The review of the Local Alcohol Policy 2024 is due to be completed by August 2030, as required by legislation.
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Gisborne Votes To Lift CBD Alcohol Restrictions, Sparks Debate
Article – Zita Campbell – Local Democracy Reporter Gisborne councillors voted to remove restrictive alcohol rules in the town centre. Gisborne district councillors have voted to scrap restrictive alcohol rules in the CBD despite recent opposition during consultation. The rules prevent new liquor licences near sensitive sites like marae and schools. Councillors argued the change would create a more vibrant CBD, but some opposed linking alcohol to vibrancy. Gisborne district councillors have voted to scrap restrictive alcohol rules within the town centre despite two-thirds of submissions opposing the move in recent consultation. Those submitting against relaxing the rules noted the region's issues with alcohol-related harm, which they say disproportionately affect Māori, and sought to protect marae, schools and sensitive sites. During a Sustainable Tairāwhiti meeting on Thursday, councillors acknowledged the region's 'dire' addiction problem, but did not believe lifting the restrictive rules would affect it. Councillors said the 'sensitive sites' rules, implemented in 2018, had created 'unintended' consequences for hospitality. The rules prevent new liquor licences – except for cafes, restaurants, and special licences – within 150m of sites such as marae, schools, spiritual facilities and recreational areas. Councillors voted to remove the rules from the central business district (CBD) to enable a more 'vibrant' town centre. Under this amendment, the District Licensing Committee will also be able to consider exemptions from the sensitive sites rules outside of the CBD, according to the council report. Councillors Nick Tupara and Ani Pahuru-Huriwai voted against the move and questioned the reasoning of equating alcohol to vibrancy. 'I don't think there is enough discussion around what a vibrant CBD can look like without needing to bring alcohol into the conversation,' Pahuru-Huriwai said. She said a point raised during submissions was that iwi partners wanted to be engaged in any conversations that took place around alcohol policies. Tupara said many submitters against removing the rules were Māori and iwi, and that Māori had suffered from the consumption of alcohol since it arrived in the country. It was 'totally wrong' that alcohol was 'the heartbeat of what makes our community', he said. 'This whole thing is a joke.' This year, public consultation found two-thirds of 207 submissions voted in support of keeping the restrictions. However, early engagement in late 2024 had shown 82% of 62 submissions and 1067 votes disagreed with keeping the rules. The option to maintain the restriction was endorsed by the Tri-Agencies – NZ Police, the National Public Health Service and the Chief Licensing Inspectorate – according to the council report. Councillor Debbie Greggory said she was well-placed to talk on the issue, as she grew up with alcohol addiction in her home, and as 15 years sober, had 'lived the road to sobriety'. 'We have an addiction problem. We have a massive need for an addiction centre, but this is not something council can provide.' Gregory said the Local Alcohol Policy (Sensitive Sites) Hearings last week exposed the region's 'gigantic problem' and she hoped the council could harness 'the energy and passion' heard from submitters to make the Government, especially the health sector, see their 'dire situation'. The region needed to expand access to treatment services and address the issue's root causes – poverty, trauma and lack of opportunity, Gregory said. She acknowledged the heightened emotion surrounding the proposed city establishment Anjuna Beer Garden, which did not open after an alcohol licence appeal from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hawaiki Hou, which is located a few doors away from the bar. Councillor Aubrey Ria said she had 'lost sleep' over the council report detailing the recommended adoption of the sensitive sites policy to be removed. She supported excluding the rules, but wanted to know if the council could offer the kura protection while it occupied its current location. 'Council planning allowed for the kura to go to its current position,' Ria said. 'I feel much aroha for them and the position that they are in.' The kura had recently been granted Government funding for four new senior school classrooms and to move to a permanent site. However, Mayor Rehette Stoltz said they did not know how long the transition could take and noted they needed to focus on the options that needed to be voted on that day. 'What if the school moves in three years?' Stoltz said the lever for sensitive sites was not the lever that would address the alcohol harm issues in the region. 'We need a collaborative, health, mental health, Government approach.' Councillor Rawinia Parata said the council's job was to govern what was best for the region, noting they were still going through a cyclone recovery period. 'For a long time, there has been significant underinvestment in our CBD [and] region … it doesn't make sense to hold us back further.' Parata said not only would they be holding the region's hospitality sector back by keeping the restrictions, they would also be holding rangatahi back. 'If we do not provide them with establishments and places to learn how to be outside, how to be in public, we're not setting them up for the world – and that's not good,' she said. Parata said on-licences had rules that controlled drinking, unlike off-licences. According to the report, in addition to the amendments to exclude the CBD from the sensitive sites rules, council-maintained cemeteries (urupā) would also be added as a sensitive site within the provisions. A date for the amended policy to take effect is yet to be confirmed, but it will be in May or June. The review of the Local Alcohol Policy 2024 is due to be completed by August 2030, as required by legislation.
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Gisborne Votes To Lift CBD Alcohol Restrictions, Sparks Debate
Gisborne district councillors have voted to scrap restrictive alcohol rules in the CBD despite recent opposition during consultation. The rules prevent new liquor licences near sensitive sites like marae and schools. Councillors argued the change would create a more vibrant CBD, but some opposed linking alcohol to vibrancy. Gisborne district councillors have voted to scrap restrictive alcohol rules within the town centre despite two-thirds of submissions opposing the move in recent consultation. Those submitting against relaxing the rules noted the region's issues with alcohol-related harm, which they say disproportionately affect Māori, and sought to protect marae, schools and sensitive sites. During a Sustainable Tairāwhiti meeting on Thursday, councillors acknowledged the region's 'dire' addiction problem, but did not believe lifting the restrictive rules would affect it. Councillors said the 'sensitive sites' rules, implemented in 2018, had created 'unintended' consequences for hospitality. The rules prevent new liquor licences – except for cafes, restaurants, and special licences – within 150m of sites such as marae, schools, spiritual facilities and recreational areas. Councillors voted to remove the rules from the central business district (CBD) to enable a more 'vibrant' town centre. Under this amendment, the District Licensing Committee will also be able to consider exemptions from the sensitive sites rules outside of the CBD, according to the council report. Councillors Nick Tupara and Ani Pahuru-Huriwai voted against the move and questioned the reasoning of equating alcohol to vibrancy. 'I don't think there is enough discussion around what a vibrant CBD can look like without needing to bring alcohol into the conversation,' Pahuru-Huriwai said. She said a point raised during submissions was that iwi partners wanted to be engaged in any conversations that took place around alcohol policies. Tupara said many submitters against removing the rules were Māori and iwi, and that Māori had suffered from the consumption of alcohol since it arrived in the country. It was 'totally wrong' that alcohol was 'the heartbeat of what makes our community', he said. 'This whole thing is a joke.' This year, public consultation found two-thirds of 207 submissions voted in support of keeping the restrictions. However, early engagement in late 2024 had shown 82% of 62 submissions and 1067 votes disagreed with keeping the rules. The option to maintain the restriction was endorsed by the Tri-Agencies - NZ Police, the National Public Health Service and the Chief Licensing Inspectorate - according to the council report. Councillor Debbie Greggory said she was well-placed to talk on the issue, as she grew up with alcohol addiction in her home, and as 15 years sober, had 'lived the road to sobriety'. 'We have an addiction problem. We have a massive need for an addiction centre, but this is not something council can provide.' Gregory said the Local Alcohol Policy (Sensitive Sites) Hearings last week exposed the region's 'gigantic problem' and she hoped the council could harness 'the energy and passion' heard from submitters to make the Government, especially the health sector, see their 'dire situation'. The region needed to expand access to treatment services and address the issue's root causes - poverty, trauma and lack of opportunity, Gregory said. She acknowledged the heightened emotion surrounding the proposed city establishment Anjuna Beer Garden, which did not open after an alcohol licence appeal from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hawaiki Hou, which is located a few doors away from the bar. Councillor Aubrey Ria said she had 'lost sleep' over the council report detailing the recommended adoption of the sensitive sites policy to be removed. She supported excluding the rules, but wanted to know if the council could offer the kura protection while it occupied its current location. 'Council planning allowed for the kura to go to its current position,' Ria said. 'I feel much aroha for them and the position that they are in.' The kura had recently been granted Government funding for four new senior school classrooms and to move to a permanent site. However, Mayor Rehette Stoltz said they did not know how long the transition could take and noted they needed to focus on the options that needed to be voted on that day. 'What if the school moves in three years?' Stoltz said the lever for sensitive sites was not the lever that would address the alcohol harm issues in the region. 'We need a collaborative, health, mental health, Government approach.' Councillor Rawinia Parata said the council's job was to govern what was best for the region, noting they were still going through a cyclone recovery period. 'For a long time, there has been significant underinvestment in our CBD [and] region ... it doesn't make sense to hold us back further.' Parata said not only would they be holding the region's hospitality sector back by keeping the restrictions, they would also be holding rangatahi back. 'If we do not provide them with establishments and places to learn how to be outside, how to be in public, we're not setting them up for the world – and that's not good,' she said. Parata said on-licences had rules that controlled drinking, unlike off-licences. According to the report, in addition to the amendments to exclude the CBD from the sensitive sites rules, council-maintained cemeteries (urupā) would also be added as a sensitive site within the provisions. A date for the amended policy to take effect is yet to be confirmed, but it will be in May or June. The review of the Local Alcohol Policy 2024 is due to be completed by August 2030, as required by legislation.
NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Gisborne votes to lift CBD alcohol restrictions, sparks debate
The rules prevent new liquor licences – except for cafes, restaurants, and special licences – within 150m of sites such as marae, schools, spiritual facilities and recreational areas. Councillors voted to remove the rules from the central business district (CBD) to enable a more 'vibrant' town centre. Under this amendment, the District Licensing Committee will also be able to consider exemptions from the sensitive sites rules outside of the CBD, according to the council report. Councillors Nick Tupara and Ani Pahuru-Huriwai voted against the move and questioned the reasoning of equating alcohol to vibrancy. 'I don't think there is enough discussion around what a vibrant CBD can look like without needing to bring alcohol into the conversation,' Pahuru-Huriwai said. She said a point raised during submissions was that iwi partners wanted to be engaged in any conversations that took place around alcohol policies. Tupara said many submitters against removing the rules were Māori and iwi, and that Māori had suffered from the consumption of alcohol since it arrived in the country. It was 'totally wrong' that alcohol was 'the heartbeat of what makes our community', he said. 'This whole thing is a joke.' This year, public consultation found two-thirds of 207 submissions voted in support of keeping the restrictions. However, early engagement in late 2024 had shown 82% of 62 submissions and 1067 votes disagreed with keeping the rules. The option to maintain the restriction was endorsed by the Tri-Agencies - NZ Police, the National Public Health Service and the Chief Licensing Inspectorate - according to the council report. Councillor Debbie Greggory said she was well-placed to talk on the issue, as she grew up with alcohol addiction in her home, and as 15 years sober, had 'lived the road to sobriety'. 'We have an addiction problem. We have a massive need for an addiction centre, but this is not something council can provide.' Gregory said the Local Alcohol Policy (Sensitive Sites) Hearings last week exposed the region's 'gigantic problem' and she hoped the council could harness 'the energy and passion' heard from submitters to make the Government, especially the health sector, see their 'dire situation'. The region needed to expand access to treatment services and address the issue's root causes - poverty, trauma and lack of opportunity, Gregory said. She acknowledged the heightened emotion surrounding the proposed city establishment Anjuna Beer Garden, which did not open after an alcohol licence appeal from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hawaiki Hou, which is located a few doors away from the bar. Councillor Aubrey Ria said she had 'lost sleep' over the council report detailing the recommended adoption of the sensitive sites policy to be removed. She supported excluding the rules, but wanted to know if the council could offer the kura protection while it occupied its current location. 'Council planning allowed for the kura to go to its current position,' Ria said. 'I feel much aroha for them and the position that they are in.' The kura had recently been granted Government funding for four new senior school classrooms and to move to a permanent site. However, Mayor Rehette Stoltz said they did not know how long the transition could take and noted they needed to focus on the options that needed to be voted on that day. 'What if the school moves in three years?' Stoltz said the lever for sensitive sites was not the lever that would address the alcohol harm issues in the region. 'We need a collaborative, health, mental health, Government approach.' Councillor Rawinia Parata said the council's job was to govern what was best for the region, noting they were still going through a cyclone recovery period. 'For a long time, there has been significant underinvestment in our CBD [and] region ... it doesn't make sense to hold us back further.' Parata said not only would they be holding the region's hospitality sector back by keeping the restrictions, they would also be holding rangatahi back. 'If we do not provide them with establishments and places to learn how to be outside, how to be in public, we're not setting them up for the world – and that's not good,' she said. Parata said on-licences had rules that controlled drinking, unlike off-licences. According to the report, in addition to the amendments to exclude the CBD from the sensitive sites rules, council-maintained cemeteries (urupā) would also be added as a sensitive site within the provisions. A date for the amended policy to take effect is yet to be confirmed, but it will be in May or June. The review of the Local Alcohol Policy 2024 is due to be completed by August 2030, as required by legislation.
Business Journals
01-05-2025
- Health
- Business Journals
Access to mental health services: Can employers get away with not proving it?
Most employers understand the importance of good mental health and they offer a comprehensive benefits package to help employees get the services they need. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the Tri-Agencies (the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and the U.S. Treasury) have taken it one step further by mandating a formal analysis to prove employers are in compliance with the rules of the act, called the Non-Qualitative Treatment Limitations (NQTL). This is a tough one, but it impacts nearly every employer, so bear with me. However, providing a formal analysis is not as easy as it sounds. On top of that, employers are randomly chosen to produce this report to the Tri-Agencies — if requested. Those last two words — if requested — are causing a lot of angst. They're also leading employers to wonder if they should even bother with the reporting. After all, not complying could save them thousands of dollars and many hours working on the report. That sentiment is even more relevant today with a new president in the Oval Office. Many clients are asking: Is this act and its reporting a focus of President Trump? The president is laying off government workers, so will there be anybody there to ask for this proof or follow up? The prevailing thought is: 'maybe I'll get away with it.' The answers are unclear, but the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) recently released a report on enforcement of the act in 2023. Many believe this is a sign that the federal government is still paying attention and is demanding accountability. The administration investigated 102 health plans in fiscal year 2023, and it cited 31 violations in both fully insured and self-insured plans for limiting coverage. What that means for you Some businesses are hiring a third party to create this report if they're asked to provide it to the Tri-Agencies. Employers with fully funded health plans can ask carriers for those reports. Carriers have all the data needed to respond to the federal government. Self-funded plans are trickier. Data can be provided but the analysis cannot be created without a third party's help. Employers must decide if they want to take a chance that they will not be asked to produce this report. If asked, all employers have 10 days to produce the report or face hefty fines. In general, it takes a third-party administrator six to eight months to complete the analysis report. The reporting itself isn't easy. Employers must prove three things — annual lifetime limits, financial requirements and quantitative treatment limitations, and non-quantitative treatment limitations — in six different classifications. If they leave just one piece of required information out of the report, their reporting will be insufficient. In addition, many of the requirements are subjective. It would be hard for any employer to decipher what the government is looking for without professional help. The Oswald team can help you find the right solution to create your analysis report. None of this is easy, so there is no need to tackle it alone. Contact me at jsadlier@ or 614-696-5615. Founded in 1893, Cleveland-based and employee-owned, Oswald is among the nation's largest independent insurance brokerages. Oswald is a founding partner of Unison Risk Advisors Inc., whose mission is to secure a thriving future for independent insurance and risk management firms; their owners, employees and clients; and their communities. Jonathan Sadlier is the Central Ohio market president for Oswald Companies. He has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. He specializes in the financial and technical aspects of plan strategy and the implementation of innovative, client-specific solutions.
