Events firm denies supplying liquor to after-ball parties

File photo / Bay of Plenty Times

An event management firm embroiled in police crackdowns on after-ball parties says it takes no part in the supply of alcohol to minors - it just works with parents committees.

Zeesh Event Management has been in the media spotlight since last week, when police began a drive to eliminate alcohol at teenagers' after-ball parties.

Lexi Bunting, 17, and two friends told the Herald on Sunday that they had approached Zeesh and was told the firm would charge students $70 a ticket - plus an additional $9 each for unlimited alcohol.

"He promised us he'd never run out of alcohol before and he'd been doing it for years," Bunting said.

But Zeesh director Chris Parker issued a statement today that this was "misinformation".

"Zeesh has never purchased or supplied alcohol to anyone. We do not condone binge drinking of any sort for any age group."

Mr Parker denied that the company organised after-balls at all - "Zeesh only works with organised parents committees", he said.

The company had outraged parents who said an Auckland Grammar after-ball had featured scantily clad cage-dancers.

"It is important to clarify that Zeesh does not organise after-balls. The events are 100 per cent the responsibility of the organising parent committees and all decisions regarding the events are made by them," Mr Parker said.

The firm provided professional on-site paramedic teams with a fully stocked ambulance and guidance in choosing safe venues, he said.

"Zeesh promotes a focus on the production of the event rather than drinking. This includes using decorations and theming, lighting shows, top New Zealand acts, and incorporating other activities at events to take the emphasis off drinking."

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".