The Central Otago Trotting Club (COTC), which holds its annual harness meeting on January 2 at the Omakau racecourse, looked as if it would have to stop operating or go through an expensive legal process to get a determination to accommodate bring-your-own (BYO) drinking at its meeting.
A Bill to protect this Kiwi tradition of being able to bring a drink to the races passed its third and final reading in Parliament on Wednesday night.
COTC president Graham Sinnamon said the passing of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Exemption for Race Meetings) Amendment Bill was "very good news".
"I haven’t seen the final details, but I understand small race meetings will be allowed to once again provide BYO areas."
The race meeting at Omakau is one of the biggest harness meetings in the country, in both course attendance and on-course betting.
National MP for Rangitīkei Ian McKelvie, who helped push the private member’s Bill, said race meetings were important community events.
However, attendance had declined, particularly at smaller regional clubs.
Many of these clubs lacked the resources to offer significant hospitality services, so allowing patrons to bring their own was an integral part of getting people through the gates.
He said the Bill meant racegoers could take a bottle of wine or beer to the races at clubs with three or fewer meetings in a calendar year.
Mr Sinnamon said the new law would remove the doubt around BYO and ensure the continuation of the Omakau races.
"Now we don’t need a legal test case.
"As it was we could have been fined up to $20,000 for providing and promoting an area for people to bring their own.
"This just gives clubs options. It does not stop our host responsibilities.
‘It means we can provide information more clearly for an event.
"BYO was never illegal, but now race organisers can openly tell attendees there are areas set aside for BYO and be more practical."
Kurow Jockey Club president Simon Williamson said passing the Bill was a common-sense decision.
The club has one race meeting a year, on December 30.
He said it managed to come to an agreement where people could bring liquor into the carpark.
But he said it was ridiculous that smaller clubs could not allow people to bring liquor on to the course.
"People want to come and have a quiet beer or a few wines, sit under the gazebo with family and friends and have a good time.
"They are not going there to get boozed."
Small clubs depended on these days to stay alive.
The Central Otago Racing Club (which races at Cromwell), the Waikouaiti Racing Club (which races at Wingatui) and the Roxburgh Trotting Club will also benefit from the change.
