Whangarei District Council has set up a meeting with retailers in its proposed "legal high zone", but some of the shopkeepers have organised a petition opposing the plan, with more than 150 signatures already collected.
Last Wednesday, the council's planning committee voted to send a draft Psychoactive Substances Policy - which would restrict the sale of the substances (also known as legal highs) to Lower Cameron St, Clyde St and Albert St - to the full council for approval then out for public consultation.
Parliament introduced the Psychoactive Substances Act last year, which gives local authorities the right to develop a locally approved products policy that can determine where such products can be sold.
Mayor Sheryl Mai said the council would ban legal highs if it could, but under the Act had to do what it could to minimise the harm and felt a restricted zone could be the best way. A meeting with retailers in the proposed zone will be held at the Forum North on Wednesday.
A council spokeswoman said the meeting was just for those retailers in the affected area to discuss why the council had proposed the idea. Wider public meetings would be held if the full council adopted the draft plan.