Punting, fashion and booze entertained the crowd at the NZ Cup races in Riccarton, Christchurch.

For many communities the days of bringing your own beer or wine to race meetings are already over, but proposed new legislation could see them return and keep police out of meddling in future events.

A new members billl, to be put forward by MP for Hutt South Chris Bishop, aims to clarify the law around BYO alcohol areas at race meetings.

"A glass of wine or beer in the sun with some chips and dip is a Kiwi tradition. Some race meets have allowed BYO for more than 135 years," he said in a statement.

DEAN KOZANIC/STUFF A glass of wine or beer in the sun with some chips and dip is a Kiwi tradition, says Chris Bishop.

Bishop added that in recent years, police have been opposing liquor licences and although it is understood that police want to address the harm caused by alcohol, they should concentrate on areas "where there is actually a problem, not family-friendly events".

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"Many regional racing clubs lack the infrastructure to offer hospitality services and there is a long and fine tradition of allowing patrons to bring their own food and drink to the course on race days.

"They're usually run by volunteer committees. Clubs obtain a special licence, or hold an on-licence, for a designated area and allow the rest of the course to be available for bring-your-own alcohol consumption."

Auckland Racing Club's Boxing Day races at Ellerslie was one of the last major public events that allowed people to bring their own alcohol, but it stopped in 2010.

DAVID WHITE/STUFF Police have been cracking down on alcohol-related harm at public events, including race meets.

The move to stop BYO alcohol was pre-empting any trouble and about being as responsible a host, the club said at the time.

But on Friday, Auckland Racing Club's chief executive Paul Wilcox said his club would support anything that would help attract the public along to race day.

"The modern day person is a lot more conscious about drinking responsibly, and turning up to the races is not just about getting sloshed," he said.

JACKSON THOMAS/STUFF Paul Wilcox says the Auckland Racing Club would welcome the new legislation.

"There are so many things to do at a race meet, it's not just about the great food and good selection of wine and beers, the races and fashion are just as important while there's loads of fun things for the kids, too."

At this year's Boxing Day Races there were no arrests and it was the biggest crowd for some years, he said.

"It was a great mix of both the younger and older generation."

ANDREW CORNAGA/PHOTOSPORT Boxing Day races: There were no arrests for alcohol-related incidents at this year's meet.

Bishop said in a statement that his bill would allow families and communities to carry on the tradition of chilly bin and a hamper at the races.

"My bill makes it clear that racing clubs and race meetings are not the intended targets of section 235 of the Sale and Supply of Liquor Act. The bill provides an exemption from section 235 for racing clubs on the days of race meetings when the club holds either an on-licence or an on-site special licence that applies to the race meeting."

Earlier in the year, Racing Minister Winston Peters attacked 'bureaucratic shiny bums' who were interfering in BYO alcohol at race meetings, Bishop said.

"This is a common sense change to the law that will essentially allow the status quo at community run race meets to continue."