Mongrel Mob book Te Aute pub for 50th

An estimated 400 Mongrel Mob members will descend on a paddock in Te Aute today to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

They will be doing so with a low-percentage beer in hand after a special liquor licence was approved by the Hastings District Licensing Committee yesterday.

Police alcohol harm prevention officer Sergeant Ray Wylie said there would be a lot of people disappointed if the celebration did not work out, as the Mob had come a long way to apply for the licence.

"There are the obvious benefits to having the Mob celebrating in one area rather than bar-hopping, it will make it much more manageable for the police.

"If it goes badly we'll be disappointed that the promises made in the hearing weren't kept to, but we're optimistic," he said.

Mr Wylie said licensee Ian Morse was aware of the risk as he had put his livelihood on the line.

"He has faith they won't cause him to lose his licence."

Mr Morse's Te Aute Tavern had its licence suspended three times previously after failing purchase operations, the most recent being in 2013.

The special licence was granted in spite of opposition from Police, Hawke's Bay District Health Board, and the Hastings' District Council Liquor License Inspector.

The committee said they acknowledged the event would go ahead with or without the licence and therefore focused on the purpose and object of the act specifically minimising harm and being reasonable.

The Mob planned to visit eight Hawke's Bay cemeteries in a motorcycle memorial run before convening in a Te Aute paddock behind Mr Morse's Te Aute Tavern.

While Hastings has long been considered the birthplace of the Mongrel Mob, gang scholar and Canterbury University lecturer Dr Jarrod Gilbert said there was no firm evidence to this.

"There's truth to the story in so much as the Mongrel Mob believe it to be true. Moreover, it has been written so many times that it's become like a fact," Mr Gilbert said.

The licence was approved under the condition alcohol was only sold between 5.30pm and 1.30am and the venue was cleared by 2am.

This window was smaller than outlined by the Mob's final alcohol management plan, which planned for drink to be served between 4pm and and 2am.

The licensee, Ian Morse, also had to ensure the undertakings set out in their application were observed. These included the enforcement of a one-drink-per-serve policy, with a minimum of five experienced Maori Wardens to be in attendance.

A maximum of 400 people would be permitted at the event, with attendance by ticket or invitation only.

They were also required to have water, non-alcoholic drinks and food available at all times.

By approving the licence the committee enabled the event to be closely monitored by agreement with the parties involved.

The Mob circulated a more detailed alcohol management plan at the Thursday hearing, which Police and Ministry of Health said had mitigated their concerns.