Controlled Purchase Operations brings disappointing result

Media Release

December 07, 2016

Latest Controlled Purchase Operations brings a disappointing result in Kaipara

Two recent Controlled Purchase Operations, conducted at licensed premises throughout Northland by Northland DHB and NZ Police staff, has resulted in a very disappointing result in one of the regions.

The operations saw underage volunteers, aged 16 years, attempting to purchase alcohol from licensed premises in the greater Bay of Islands and Kaipara areas. There was a pleasing result from the Far North operation with NO sales from the 16 outlets tested, however there were FOUR sales from the 18 outlets visited in the Kaipara area.

Sergeant Howard CLEMENT, Alcohol Harm Reduction Officer, Whangarei Police said, “The result was disappointing. The premises involved should have better systems in place regarding not selling alcohol to minors. These sales of alcohol should not be occurring. All applicants when they make application for a license to sell alcohol state there are appropriate systems and procedures in place to prevent sales of alcohol to underage people. Clearly this is not the case for those that sold to minors. As a community, we need to have confidence that license holders will not sell alcohol to our youth and allow them drinking unsupervised and potentially harmfully. Also the consequences when the licensees are reported to the authorities are major. This can result in a suspension of their license to sell alcohol for a number of days.

Senior Constable Graeme WRIGHT, Alcohol Harm Reduction Officer, Kerikeri Police said, “This is another excellent result from the 16 premises tested in the greater Bay of Islands area. This is the sixth operation to be carried out in the Mid and Far North area this year resulting in NO SALES. The licensed premises tested appear to have good systems in place.

However, I would like to emphasize that if identification is unable to be produced by anyone attempting to purchase alcohol who looks under 25 years of age, the sellers should not sell the alcohol to them. It is important to stress that a full and proper identification check must be carried out including calculating the age. This is best practice and the only sure way to prevent sales to underage. Overall, I am encouraged by this result. It demonstrates that our off-licensed premises are responsible holders of a liquor licenses and therefore protecting the young people in the communities they operate in”.

Controlled Purchase Operations (CPOs) are part of an ongoing programme to assess compliance with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 in an effort to address access to alcohol by minors.

Northland Operation statistics:

Off Licensed premises: 34 attempts from 34 premises resulted in FOUR SALES

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