Auckland cracks-down on underage alcohol sales

  • 15/03/2016
(File)
(File)

An Auckland Council crack-down on the sale of liquor to minors has resulted in an application to have Southmall Liquor Bargain's licence cancelled.

The investigation, carried out last month, resulted in the first licence cancellation application in New Zealand under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

Manager of Alcohol Licensing Rob Abbott says 23 licensed premises in Manurewa and its surroundings were tested, with four stores failing.

The test involved the council sending a person under the age of 18 into stores to try to purchase alcohol.

Chair of the Regulatory and Bylaws Committee, Calum Penrose says the council takes sale to underaged people very seriously.

"It's our job to protect our young people from the harm alcohol can cause and it's only appropriate that irresponsible premises have their licenses revoked," Mr Penrose says.

It was the third time in just over two years Southmall Liquor Bargain had been discovered selling alcohol to a minor.

Under new provisions premises who have had three failures in as many years may have their license revoked.

Newshub.