Mob granted liquor licence

The Mongrel Mob have been granted a liquor licence for their 50th anniversary party.

An estimated 400 Mongrel Mob members will descend on a paddock in Te Aute after a special liquor licence was granted for their Saturday celebration.

Hastings District Licensing Committee approved the request in spite of opposition from Police, Hawke's Bay District Health Board, and the Hastings' District Council Liquor License Inspector.

The committee said they acknowledged the event would go ahead with or without the licence and therefore focused on the purpose and object of the act specifically minimising harm and being reasonable.

The license was approved under the condition that alcohol was only sold between 5:30pm to 1:30am and the venue was cleared by 2:00am.

The licensee, Te Aute Tavern owner Ian Morse, also had to ensure the undertakings set out in their application were observed.

This included the enforcement of a one drink per serve policy, a minimum of five experienced Maori Wardens were to be in attendance, and a maximum of 400 people were permitted at the event with attendance by ticket or invitation only.

They were also required to have water, non-alcoholic drinks and food available at all times. The Mob planned to visit eight Hawke's Bay cemeteries in a motorcycle memorial run before convening in Te Aute to mark the 50th Anniversary.

This would be held in a paddock near Te Aute Tavern, whose owner Ian Morse, applied for the special liquor licence under the title Settlement Holdings Ltd.