Attempts to eliminate the sale of legal highs in Tauranga are on hold as central government 'frustratingly” investigates regulations to manage where and when they can be sold, says one Tauranga City councillor.

Since being elected in October 2013, Councillor Matt Cowley says he has taken calls from youth organisations, parents of children affected and residents and retailers living in close proximity to licenced stores calling for action against the psychoactive substances.

Tauranga City councillor Matt Cowley. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

In Tauranga there are currently five businesses with interim retail licences and one with an interim wholesale licence.

But until the Government step up and take full responsibility council's hands are tied, says Matt.

'In terms of what council can do, there is not a lot at this stage. Central government have this consultation document out at the moment saying ‘what powers do council have?'” says Matt.

'Our frustration is that it would require New Zealand as a whole to have 65 individual council policies on it. It's going to involve a lot of enforcement costs, when really for New Zealand as a society should be lobbying for central government to make one legislative change and fully ban them from society.”

Psychoactive substances are ingredients in party pills, energy pills and herbal high products. Last year Government introduced the Psychoactive Substances Act and established a new licensing system for psychoactive products and for anyone wanting to manufacture or sell such products.

The Act prohibits the sale of these substances from dairies, conveniences stores, grocery stores, supermarkets, service stations and alcohol retail outlets.

Since the Act came into force there has been a 95 per cent drop in the number of retailers selling the products. But Matt feels the city wants full removal of the substances – a view shared by fellow councillors.

'Nobody has contacted me saying ‘let's keep it and manage it'. There is no point us managing it just for a few.

'They [the public] are wanting action; they don't care who. Most people see government as government whether it's a council or a Member of Parliament, they just want it gone.

'And from my perspective there is no one on my council advocating to manage it from what I am aware. I think once we sort out with central government, who has the power, I think that is the issue at the moment.”

Across town Western Bay of Plenty District Council is asking for residents to submit on proposed controls on the sale of legal highs and party pills.

The district council has released its draft Psychoactive Substances Policy, aimed to control the location and operating conditions of legal high retailers, for public submissions.

The policy is seen as one of the most influential steps council can take to address the concerns of the thousands of residents in Te Puke and Katikati, who oppose the sale of psychoactive products in their towns.