A new policy that could see no more bottle stores in Whangarei for up to six years has been introduced in a bid to reduce the region's drinking problem.

The Whangarei District Council is putting its new draft policy out for public consultation.

The Local Alcohol Policy replaces current liquor licensing policies and gives councils the ability to create their own restrictions.

Spokesman Paul Dell told Newstalk ZB the council requires public submissions to make informed decisions on what to go ahead with.

"Once you get a policy position then people will have a better idea of how they now feel about this particular policy, so I would expect we will have people from both sides of the conversation wanting to talk to council."

Northland DHB's medical officer of health, Clair Mills, who worked with the council on the draft, believes it's important residents take advantage of that.

"There were a number of other conditions that are in the draft alcohol policy that are also really important to look at, for example the hours of opening, so I would really encourage the public to take this historic opportunity to look carefully at what the council's proposing and hopefully make submissions."

Mills worked with the council on the draft and is urging the public to reflect on alcohol harm.

"We have a lot of bottle stores already and we have also a lot of alcohol harm in our community so there are many different ways to address alcohol harm and this is one way that local alcohol policies can do so."

Submissions on the policy can be made from the 8th of June until the 10th of July.