Charges laid over boozy after-balls

Schoolgirl guests at the Auckland Grammar after-ball. Photo / Supplied

Police are prosecuting an events management company for allegedly supplying alcohol to minors at school after-balls.

Sergeant Jason Loye of the New Zealand Police alcohol harm reduction unit would not name the company because the case wasn't before the courts yet, but said prosecution was a last resort.

Loye said police had tried to work with the company to help it operate within the law but the director would not co-operate.

"We've told him how to do it legally, but he doesn't want to do it that way - he wants to supply alcohol to minors," he said. "We'd rather sit down with them [event management companies] and go through what the law is and assist them in getting the special licences they require to run it correctly and legally."

"Basically the rule is the only people who can supply to minors are their parents or legal guardians."

After-balls - parties that follow school balls but are not organised by the school - have been in the spotlight lately.

Last month, outraged parents revealed the Auckland Grammar after-ball had featured scantily clad cage-dancers.

This week, Rangitoto College confirmed it had cancelled future balls because a Year 12 after-ball went ahead, despite students and parents promising it wouldn't.

Two of the biggest after-ball operators are Need A DJ, which runs the site afterballs.co.nz, and Zeesh Enterprises Ltd, which trades as Zeesh Events Management. Both hold functions in disused Auckland warehouses.

Need A DJ's Ben Gaines confirmed it put on the Rangitoto after-ball but would not answer other questions.

Zeesh Enterprises was responsible for the Auckland Grammar after-ball on August 13, with the cage-dancing. The company has also put on after-balls this year for St Kentigern College, Howick College and Macleans College, among others.

Zeesh's Facebook page features photos of school students apparently drinking alcohol. Several of the photos are captioned with the name of the school after-ball they were taken at.

Zeesh, run by Nash Vazifdar and Chris Parker, produces consent forms for its after-balls that parents are asked to sign. The forms state that Zeesh's parties are "private social gatherings" - believed to be an attempt to get around the requirements of the Sale of Liquor Act.

But as students buy tickets for the events - usually for between $60 and $80 - they are not by law private.

Zeesh's consent forms say: "Alcohol may or may not be supplied and served by parents."

This, however, does not absolve the company's directors from potential responsibility. The Sale of Liquor Act states that anyone is guilty of an offence if they take part in the "care, management, or control of any unlicensed premises and allows these premises to be kept or used as a place of resort for the consumption of liquor."

Although parents or guardians are allowed to provide liquor to their own children if they are over 16, it is illegal for them to provide liquor to other minors.

Loye said police were aware of Zeesh and had been in contact with the company. He provided a copy of the letter police have sent to operators, including Zeesh, informing them they are suspected of breaching the Sale of Liquor Act.

Zeesh refused to answer questions, saying only that the company has "nothing to do with the sale or supply of alcohol".

Despite the company's website stating it "hosts events and throws parties", Vazifdar described Zeesh as a company that "assists parent organisers with safety systems".

"We do not wish to respond further to your enquiries and ask that you please respect our privacy," he added.

On being informed that under the terms of the Sale of Liquor Act the company may be supplying alcohol, Parker said: "We're only contractors."

St Kentigern College headmaster Steve Cole, who started at the school at the beginning of term 3, said he wasn't aware of the Zeesh-organised St Kents after-ball in June.

He was opposed to large-scale, event-managed after-balls and supported Rangitoto's actions.

"It would be sad if the main occasion of the ball is to have the after-ball," said Cole. "Where there are parents organising a small gathering of boys and girls who know each other and it's well-organised and well-maintained, that's fine."

Macleans College principal Byron Bentley said the school allowed the after-ball to go ahead as parents were involved.

* Having a ball

September 2009

Rangitoto College bans balls after a Year 12 after-ball went ahead against the school's wishes.

Christchurch school Christ's College admits it will serve alcohol to under-18s at ball.

August 2009

Parents reveal cage-dancers entertained at the Auckland Grammar after-ball.

June 2009

Kamo High School after-ball in Whangarei erupts into a violent brawl, with several stabbed.

Police called to break up a pre-arranged fight following the Howick College after-ball.

March 2009

Rumours of "vomit room" at Wakatipu High School's after-ball concerns Queenstown parents.

September 2008

Greymouth teenager stabbed at party following the Westland High School ball in Hokitika.

September 2007

Police voice concerns after Massey High School after-ball is hosted by a gang.

August 2003

Westlake Girls after-ball, to be held at Head Hunters gang headquarters, cancelled.