Auckland Council's ruled not to enforce separate rules for liquor stores in its new signs bylaw

That's despite an audit of 66 liquor stores in South Auckland, finding none of them complies with the council's signage laws and 18 stores breached four or more rules.

The audit was carried out by the Auckland Regional Public Health Service - which recommends only allowing one sign of the shop's name and banning advertising outside.

Alcohol Healthwatch executive director Nicki Jackson says the city has more than 500 bottle stores plastered with posters and window displays.

She says alcohol is an addictive, psychoactive drug and there should be specific restrictions for its advertising - just as we don't allow tobacco and vape stores to advertise.