An undercover sting on alcohol sales in Northland has produced mixed results with two liquor outlets in Kaipara nabbed selling alcohol to minors while no sales to under 18s were made in the Mid North.
The operation by Northland District Health Board and Northland police saw underage volunteers aged 16 and 17 years attempt to buy alcohol from licensed premises in the Mid North and Kaipara areas.
"The Kaipara result is disappointing," said Whangarei police Alcohol Harm Reduction Officer sergeant Howard Clement.
"I cannot stress strongly enough, holders of a liquor licence should ask for identification if they are in doubt of the age of a customer. If identification is produced, the licensee must verify the correct age before making a sale.
"I do not expect that sales of alcohol should be occurring. As a community, we need to have confidence that licence holders will not sell alcohol to our youth."