Supermarket drink licence under threat

Foodstuffs said it took the role as a retailer of alcohol "very seriously". Photo / Thinkstock

Retailer caught selling alcohol to minor in police controlled-purchase operation.

A New World supermarket in Auckland faces having its liquor licence suspended or cancelled at a hearing next month.

Police sought the hearing against New World Stonefields in Lunn Ave, Mt Wellington, after a controlled-purchase operation in May.

The hearing before the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority in Auckland will be on August 6.

Supermarket owner-operator Graham Fabian said the police application for suspension or cancellation of its off-licence was because "we have served liquor to a minor".

He said it was the first such incident since the store opened four years ago.

Supermarket giant Foodstuffs, whose brands include New World, said on its website that staff in stores asked everyone who looks under 25 to show identification at purchase to ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Foodstuffs said it took the role as a retailer of alcohol "very seriously".

Auckland police alcohol harm reduction and licensing team Acting Senior Sergeant Lisa Woodward said the application was submitted after the supermarket failed a controlled-purchase operation by selling to a minor under 18 years old on May 30.

Previous applications to the authority after controlled-purchase operations will result in 48-hour suspensions of several Auckland stores' off licences this month.

They include Thirsty Liquor Rockfield, in Penrose, Mid City Liquor (Mt Roskill), Just Liquor (Epsom), Liquor Park (Grafton), and Al Dente Wines, in Customs St West.

However, the authority ordered the suspension of liquor sales for Eden Foods St Heliers, for seven days this month.

Proprietor Chuan Yin also had his manager's certificate suspended for 28 days.

"One time my new young staff forgot and sold liquor to a 16-year-old and because I have the manager's certificate I get four weeks.

"I'm very sorry."

Mr Yin said it was his first breach in four years' running the village store.

In May, the authority ordered a one-month suspension of the off-licence for Highway Liquor, in Mt Wellington, after a controlled-purchase operation last October in which a 17-year-old girl was sold a bottle of wine.

The seller, Hong Shen, also had his manager's certificate suspended for four months.

The authority said this was the fourth breach by Mr Shen and his wife, Yening Wang, although the last breach had occurred more than four years ago.

The law is that three breaches within three years results in an application for cancellation.

In a submission, the police said 286 Auckland premises were tested in controlled-purchasing operations and 64 premises failed.

In the gun
•New World Stonefields faces penalty after controlled-purchase operation.
•Supermarket sold alcohol to an under-18-year-old.
•Shop owner-operator says it's the first such incident in four years of operation.