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Supermarket giants Foodstuffs and Woolworths New Zealand have lost a long-running legal battle to prevent Auckland Council imposing stricter sale times for alcohol.
After eight years of court cases and appeals, the Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed the appeals.
Today's decision means that in Auckland, alcohol will not be sold past nine o'clock in the evening at off-license stores such as supermarkets and bottle stores - two hours earlier than currently permitted.
Photo: 123RF
RNZ reporter Amy Williams spoke to Charlotte Cook.