Alcohol pours have been reduced to 50ml at a Motueka fundraiser after health officials raised concerns.

Guests at a glamorous fundraising dinner will be served thimble-sized portions of alcohol with each course because of concerns about drink-driving and the ability of female guests to handle their liquor.

Wellington chef Martin Bosley, who will prepare food for the event, has labelled the decision by health officials as "ridiculous" and says it could have serious ramifications for other events across the country.

Te Awhina Marae in Motueka will host a seven-course degustation fundraising dinner with Bosley on June 25.

SUPPLIED Acclaimed chef Martin Bosley says the 50ml-per-course limits are insane.

But the Marae says the Nelson-Marlborough Public Health Service was dissatisfied with limits of 100ml per course, or even 75ml, so it will be down to 50ml.

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That equates to one-fifteenth of a standard wine bottle, or less than one-sixth of a 330ml can of beer.

VIRGINIA WOOLF/FAIRFAX NZ Te Āwhina Marae in Motueka hosts a major fundraising dinner once every two years.

Bosley said the limits were very disappointing.

"Are you syringing it into people's glasses? It's just ridiculous" he said.

As a chef, "what we do is about generosity," Bosley said, adding that the relationship between wine and food was key.

SUPPLIED Local MP Damien O'Connor of Labour says the 50ml limit would be "surprising" for guests.

A marae team member, who did not want to be named, said the local Public Health Service health was concerned about drink-driving and the ability of female guests to handle alcohol.

"They didn't really talk much about the standard drinks for men."

This was despite the marae hiring at least one bus to shuttle guests who might be travelling from Nelson.

After "protracted negotiations" the marae felt compelled to agree to the 50ml per course limit, the team member said.

It was not clear how the rule would be enforced but serving staff were being trained to serve the tiny amounts.

The Nelson-Marlborough District Health Board and Public Health Service did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.

Tony Astle, owner-chef at Antoine's restaurant in Parnell, Auckland, said the 50ml limit was a case of "bureaucracy gone absolutely berserk".

"It's ludicrous and they should be ashamed of themselves."

Astle said he would understand some of the concerns if the event was in the "wops" and everybody was driving, and no bus was hired.

He questioned whether "some stupid man in a silly cardigan" would be on standby to measure each serving.

A Tasman District Council spokesman said the marae had "safely and successfully" hosted similar events in the past.

West Coast Tasman MP Damien O'Connor​ said the 50ml limit would be "surprising" and food was the focus of the fundraising dinner anyway.

"Anyone who was stupid enough to consume excessive alcohol would be wasting the opportunity to enjoy the fine food."

He said the limits could be part of "a new kind of paradigm" in licensing laws.

The degustation dinner was arranged to raise funds for the community work the marae undertakes.

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