Hospitality New Zealand has responded to recent media coverage about violent incidents in urban areas, saying bars are not the problem.
The voluntary trade organisation's message comes after a Newshub investigation revealed New Zealand's most violent city hotspots in the country are also some of the most liquored up.
Police Minister Judith Collins told the Paul Henry programme yesterday that it's up to councils to make the most of laws which give them powers to close bars earlier.
Hospitality New Zealand, however, says we should "stick to the facts".
"Bars are not the problem and could very well be part of the solution," says Tracy Scott, the organisation's GM Operations and Advocacy.
"There is a significant gap between perception and reality.
"In a report commissioned in 2014, which is still relevant today, Auckland's alcohol-related harm is relatively low compared to other regions and there has been a significant, sustained decline in several key measures over the past five years."
The 2014 Insight Economics report Ms Scott cites found that a very small minority of bad operators accounted for a number of alcohol-related offences, and that problems with Auckland's public transport were also a contributing factor.
The report also claimed that clamping down on on-licence operations may lead to an increase in drink-driving and may encourage people to drink more in uncontrolled environments.
"Bars and nightclubs are also perceived to be the second most common place where alcohol related harm occurs," Ms Scott says.
"However only 2 percent of assaults and 2 percent of disorderly conduct happens in licensed premises, with the bulk occurring in dwellings and public places.
"Bars are part of the solution and a well-managed, licensed bar is the safest place to be at 3am in the CBD, not out on the street drinking cheap alcohol unsupervised."
Newshub.
