By REBECCA DEVINE in Rotorua
Underage and binge drinking are major concerns in Rotorua, according to a new report which paints a bleak picture of parts of the city's nightlife.
While traditional problems remain prominent in the city, inspectors and police are also planning to crack down on overcrowding and the lack of food in the city's bars.
The problems have been highlighted in a report from a Rotorua District Council subcommittee, covering the past nine months.
The subcommittee involves the police, Toi Te Ora Public Health, Maori Wardens and council representatives.
It has raised concerns that the large number of bars in the city could prompt some bar owners to take desperate measures to remain solvent, including after-hours trading, selling to minors or allowing too many people inside.
According to the report, hardened patrons were recently sitting outside a central city bar from when the bar closed at 3.30am until it reopened again at 6am.
It also reveals concerns over some of the people in charge of the city's bars - including one licensee who is facing court action after allegedly being caught driving drunk.
However, those involved in the sub-committee are quick to point out that it is only a few bad managers in the industry tarnishing the reputation of others.
The council's regulatory and support services manager, Jim Nicklin, said real improvements had been made after a push to "normalise hours".
Most bars in Rotorua now close at 3am. The 3am closing time has solved one of the big problems of drinkers migrating from the centre of town to the former Ace of Clubs in Ti St, which had a later licence. The bar has since closed.
Agencies also agree the introduction of a liquor ban more than a year ago has helped to curb some of the alcohol-related issues in the city. The council says its inspectors regularly visit 10 bars in Rotorua that are "of concern".
It is "constantly" in contact with half of them on various issues. It has named the bars the Grumpy Mole, West End Tavern, V C's Turf Bar, Mi Casa and Stix Bar, but says others are also included at various times.
Mr Nicklin declined to say what the issues were with each of the bars, but confirmed that the issues with Stix Bar were mostly problems outside the premises.
He said in the next few months inspectors would focus on overcrowding and the lack of food in some bars.
It isn't just those who are drinking in the bars and pubs that are causing headaches for the police and council. Staff are also concerned about some of the people running Rotorua's drinking establishments.
The council's liquor licensing inspector, Julie Smale, said one example which raised serious concerns was a licensee involved in an excess breath alcohol charge.
"Existing concerns about the particular premises' operation has only been heightened given that the licensee drove whilst allegedly intoxicated." She said both council and police believed that licensees must set extremely high standards of conduct.
Subcommittee chairwoman and district councillor Maureen Waaka said one of the biggest problems was underage drinking.
She said in many cases those at the door were checking ID but it was regularly tampered with.
Cr Waaka said it was up to both the bars and the parents to be responsible and to help prevent the problem.
Booze problems rife in Rotorua
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