Two North Shore bottle stores have been forced to close over the lucrative Christmas period after being caught selling alcohol to underage customers.
Sunnynook Liquor had its licence suspended for two weeks and North Harbour Wines and Spirits faces a two-month suspension from selling alcohol after liquor licensing officersfrom the North Shore City Council and the police opposed their applications for renewed licences.
They were trapped after undercover police officers monitored the outlets on December 6 and 7, acting on complaints from parents.
North Harbour Wines and Spirits was spotted selling alcohol to 15-year-olds, having failed to ask for proof of age. Eight youngsters subsequently appeared in court as police witnesses.
North Shore City's regulatory and hearings committee chairwoman, Wyn Hoadley, said the suspensions sent a clear message to liquor licensees.
"Liquor licensees must adopt the stance of 'no ID, no service.' We will seek further suspensions if we suspect particular licence-holders of selling to underage people," said Wyn Hoadley.
Under laws that came into effect on December 1, fines for liquor licensees doubled. Managers or licensees can be fined up to $10,000 for supplying liquor to people under 18 or have their licence suspended or cancelled.
Liquor Licensing officer Pat Cudby said the North Shore had had continuing problems with underage drinking.
She said undercover operations, though costly in terms of resources, would continue. More prosecutions were expected as extra police were drafted to do the work.
Youths at drunken parties on the Shore have pelted police with bottles and fired flares and rockets at them. Scores of youths have been prosecuted, often for disorderly behaviour and possessing offensive weapons.
