Champagne breakfasts in the Otari Wilton bush reserve and other bouts of romantic alcoholism are no longer under threat after the Wellington City Council voted against a city-wide alcohol ban. Prior to the meeting, the Council was divided 14 - 1 in favour of the prohibition, with only Green Councillor Iona Pannett against the motion. After a public backlash in an election year, the Council changed its mind and voted 11 - 4 against the motion.
I'd love to know who changed their minds. Big kudos go to Iona Pannett for providing the fulcrum to leverage the Council. I-O-NA! I-O-NA!
Of course, boozy reveries outside the confines of licensed premises in the CBD is still verboten. You still must be of a certain wealth to get pissed in the city.
UPDATE: NatRad reports that the vote included an extension to the CBD prohibition. It seems Newtown and Mount Cook has been included in the ban, just not a citywide thing. Khandallah, Kelburn and Karori can rest easy. It's just the South Wellington plebs who get the cosh.
