Four off-licence premises in Whangarei have been caught selling alcohol to minors during a recent police sting. The discovery has prompted police to consider regular checks on liquor premises throughout the district. Of the 28 supermarkets and bottle shops visited during a controlled purchase operation on April 12, four premises sold tominors. Areas covered included Matapouri, Ngunguru, Waipu, Ruakaka and the larger Whangarei area. "We've only done that one but will continue doing checks on a regular basis," Whangarei and Kaipara area commander Inspector Paul Dimery said. He said there was a graduated penalty system for breaches of liquor licence, with closure of business premises for between one and seven days. A minor who buys alcohol is served with an infringement notice which attracts a maximum fine of $200. Mr Dimery said a multi-pronged approach by police and the Whangarei District Council was needed to enforce alcohol-related laws. However, he said it was heartening to see licensees being proactive and responsible towards some of the initiatives such as alcohol abuse. "I have no doubt that enforcement will continue to be one of the absolute essentials to ensure compliance with alcohol-related laws." In December, Whangarei bar Dickens Inn had its liquor licence suspended for 24 hours after it was caught selling alcohol to a minor. Police asked the Liquor Licensing Authority to suspend the bar's licence after a 16-year-old boy was able to buy three bottles of beer in August in the presence of the duty manager. The Sale of Liquor Act sets these maximum penalties for selling or providing alcohol to an underage person: • $10,000 fine for a licensee, and/or a suspended licence for 10 days for selling to a minor. • $10,000 fine for the outlet's duty manager. • $2000 fine for the staff member who sold the alcohol. • $2000 fine for a person who buys or supplies alcohol to a minor. • $2000 fine for a parent who provides alcohol to underage children but leaves them unsupervised. • $2000 fine for adults who allow underage children to use their premises to drink alcohol. • People organising private events in public places need a special liquor licence if the majority of those attending are underage and alcohol is supplied.
