Bar owners are rushing to secure licences allowing them to stay open and show early morning Rugby World Cup games, even though the law looks likely to change to make it easier.
ACT Party leader David Seymour's legislation has passed its first reading after receiving cross-party support.
Auckland bar owner Kevin Schwass says he's already put in his application.
"So many hoops that we have to go through – providing live entertainment, pre-selling the tickets 12 hours in advance, and all this sort of stuff. If it's made it easier, well it's only going to be the public that's going to benefit because at that hour of the morning, there's very little profit, if any profit in it at all."
The Bill will now move to select committee and could be passed later this month.
"I think common sense has prevailed," says Mr Schwass. "Quite frankly, it's quite stupid really up until that stage… it's gone through, and I think that's really good."
The Green Party initially held up progress over concerns the Bill would "allow any bar, anywhere to serve up booze at any hour, and be detrimental to public safety", according to spokesperson Kevin Hague.
"After having discussions with National over the last 24 hours and receiving a commitment from David Seymour, we are confident that they too are interested in making changes for the public good," says Mr Hague.
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