Westland Mayor Bruce Smith says proposed changes to BYO rules will have a huge impact on West Coast events.

A West Coast mayor warns stopping "bring your own" booze at the races will spell the end of popular events like the Kumara Nuggets.

The Government is set to review New Zealand's alcohol laws, which includes BYO, but Westland Mayor Bruce Smith slammed the proposed changes, saying they could have a detrimental effect on communities.

"Some shiny ass fella (sic) from Wellington's gone and dreamt this up and is attempting to put it in place and quite frankly it's not good enough."

VIRGINIA WOOLF/FAIRFAX NZ NZ First leader Winston Peters says "politically correct wowsers" are trying to get rid of BYO family picnics.

Associate Justice Minister Mark Mitchell is charged with reviewing the laws but it was in a briefing to Police Minister Paula Bennett that police revealed they intended to discuss with her the options available for further reducing drugs and alcohol-related harm.

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BYO at the races has already been scrapped in most major centres but some smaller meets, including Tauherenikau in Wairarapa and the Kumara Nuggets races on the West Coast, still allow punters to bring their own alcohol.

SUPPLIED New Associate Justice Minister Mark Mitchell is expected to hear from police next week about proposed changes to NZ's alcohol laws.

Smith said stricter BYO laws could spell the end of the Kumara races.

"Half the town of Kumara fundraise from the races . . . you kill the event and you kill the community, that's the way I see it.

"You may as well dig a hole and bury the event now."

The same could be said for the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, where 60 community groups earned their annual income, Smith said.

"[The proposed changes] would have a huge impact on the events section on the West Coast.

"If the cities have a problem tell them to sort it out, but leave us alone."

NZ First leader Winston Peters said changing the law would "mark the beginning of the end of BYO at family picnics".

"What is being recommended here will destroy a significant part of New Zealand social life and particularly significant events in the provinces. It's time to tell the Nazi-like attitude cops to take a hike," he said.

Police prevention manager Inspector Paula Holt said BYO at "larger scale events can pose an increased risk of harm from excessive drinking".

Events where unlimited BYO was allowed requires "significant police resourcing to monitor" and in many cases was unlawful under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, she said.

"That said, police do not seek to interfere where there is well-established evidence of well-run, community events and little or no track record of alcohol-related harm."

Peters labelled those wanting BYO scrapped at the races as "politically correct wowsers".

"Ordinary New Zealanders going about their lawful activities pay taxes to give you the job that you have, so stop dreaming up stupid ideas to justify your existence.

"It is BYO at the races today but it will become a blanket ban on alcohol at community and family picnics next.

"The fact is that the mass majority of people comply with the law and are not in any way a social problem."

Mitchell would not comment on Peters' concerns until he had received the briefing – understood to be next week – and had all the information about what the police were proposing.