Bar owner puts onus on punters

Wairarapa has a problem with drunkenness in licensed premises, and it's not only younger people that are causing concern, say police.

Joxer Daly's Steak and Ale House owner John Cavaney said the public don't understand the regulations around intoxication on licensed premises.

"On Friday we had a whole lot of guys that turned up at our doorstep intoxicated, who were in their late 40s, and should know better - they're all business people in the Wairarapa.

"It's not only the younger ones that cause you grief - it's across the board," Mr Cavaney said.

He said he and his staff explained to the men why they could not enter the premises.

"Then we get all this personal attack about who gives us the right to interpret intoxication.

"They became extremely aggressive to my door staff and myself," he said.

He said the public need to be better educated on the laws around intoxication.

"We all know the rules but joe public doesn't understand the rules.

"What we want to do is educate the public so they can understand that when they get stopped at the door there's nothing personal in it, it's not because they are black, white, Chinese or whatever - it's because they're intoxicated.

"They just shouldn't be offended if they get turned away because all we're trying to do is protect our livelihood," Mr Cavaney said.

Mr Cavaney says the solution is simple.

"Don't get intoxicated, or if you are intoxicated don't bother trying to get into a licensed premises and don't be offended if you are refused entry either. It's because the staff have been educated."

Alcohol harm reduction officer Constable Dean Fawcett said the consequences for managers and bar staff serving intoxicated people are significant.

Licensed premises can be fined $10,000 for serving drunk people and individual bar staff can be fined $2000.

The licensee can also face court action, suspension or even cancellation of the liquor license.

"We don't want to be the fun police, we're not adverse to people going out and enjoying themselves.

"It's just the ones that push the boundaries. They may well be having a good time themselves but the police may have to deal with them and the licensee will definitely have to deal with them."

He said excess alcohol is also at the root of many incidents police deal with.

"Intoxication and excessive alcohol consumption tends to preempt any number of incidents that police may attend and increasing the risk of people becoming either offenders or victims of crime," Mr Fawcett said.

According to (2011 to 2012) data from the New Zealand Police, each day, on average, there are 46 incidents where a person was either driven home or detained in police custody due to their state from drink.

Masterton District Council environmental health officer Kaine Jaquiery said new legislation around the sale and supply of alcohol will be coming into force from December this year, which will allow for more control locally.

Control will fall back into council hands away from the liquor licensing authorities.