A South Wairarapa bottle store to lose license temporarily for selling alcohol to minors

One South Wairarapa off license will be closed for a 24 hour period after appearing before the Liquor Licensing Authority for selling alcohol to minors in a controlled purchase operation.

Masterton Police Liquor Licensing Officer Constable Dean Fawcett says a South Wairarapa bottle store has had their liquor license suspended for 24 hours and the Duty Managers Certificate suspended for four weeks due to the underage sales.

The joint operation involving Wairarapa Police, Wairarapa District Health Board and District Licensing Agencies' spanning three council districts (Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa District Councils) was run in conjunction with Operation Unite recently.

"Two young volunteers aged 16 and 17 years visited a total of 10 premises. This included bottle stores and a supermarket in the Wairarapa District Licensing Agency area. Their mission was to test the systems stores have in place to ensure alcohol isn't sold to minors."

Constable Fawcett says, "As our volunteers did not have any identification with them, these sales should not have taken place."

"Its pretty simple when it comes to young people, NO ID NO SERVICE. For quite some time now, all the enforcement agencies have recommended requiring ID from anybody appearing to be under 25 years of age."

He says the operation was an enforcement and education opportunity. We were able to provide some advice on signage, discuss issues and, for those that didn't make sales, they'll be getting a follow-up letter encouraging them to keep up the good work.

"Alcohol and young people can be a dangerous mix. We hope the operation sends a signal to licensed premises that they need to be on top of their game and not sell to minors; as Controlled Purchase Operations can take place Anytime, Anywhere."