Northland liquor outlets pass the test

Senior Constable Graeme Wright said the result of the operation is encouraging. Photo / NZME.

A sting on Northland liquor outlets revealed none of the 16 businesses targeted breached the law by selling alcohol to minors.

It's the fourth consecutive time that a sting in Northland has seen no sales to minors and police say it shows most licensees were fulfilling their legal obligations.

Police have released the results of the latest Controlled Purchase Operation (CPO) which was carried out by officers and staff from the Northland District Health Board.

The operation audited 16 off-licensed premises in the Mid North and Bay of Islands area and involved under 18-year-olds attempting to buy alcohol from licensed premises.

Attempts were made at licensed premises in Kaikohe, Okaihau, Moerewa, Kawakawa, Opua and Paihia and there were no sales to minors.

The operation is part of an ongoing programme to assess compliance with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 in an effort to address minors accessing alcohol.

Senior Constable Graeme Wright, Alcohol Harm Reduction Officer for the Mid and Far North, was very encouraged with the result of the operation.

"This is the fourth consecutive operation this year with no sales to minors. It's a very positive result for our region."

He said the result showed licensed premises in the area were responsible holders of liquor licences and protecting the young people in the communities they operated in. However, police continued to hear about young people accessing alcohol and the issues that caused.

It is also illegal to supply alcohol to anyone under 18 years of age unless:
•The person supplying the alcohol is the parent or legal guardian and the alcohol is supplied in a responsible manner.
•The person supplying alcohol has the express consent of the parent or legal guardian and the alcohol is supplied in a "responsible manner".
•Express consent cannot be given for consumption of alcohol in a public place.
•Notes from parents are not acceptable in public places.
•Any youth under 18 drinking alcohol in a public place must have their parents/legal guardians with them.