Liquor shop in gun over sales to girl

A liquor store twice caught selling alcohol to a 15-year-old - even after she revealed her age - is fighting to keep its licence.

The Mangere outlet was caught in a blitz carried out by the Manukau District Authority, with Counties Manukau police, late last month.

Representatives from the store will fight to keep their liquor licence on Friday, when they are due to appear before the District Licensing Agency, because it is trading on a temporary authority permit.

It is the first time that a store has knowingly made a sale to a minor in the five years that the operations have taken place, said Manukau City liquor licensing inspector Paul Radich.

He said two 15-year-old girls were sent to stores in Mangere and Manurewa. In one, the retailer asked the young customer how old she was and she said 15. "That's part of the test, to see what they do," Mr Radich said.

"The guy came outside and had a look around to see if we were there - he obviously knew what he was doing - went back inside and went ahead with the sale."

Of the 32 stores tested, three failed to ask for identification and sold alcohol to the minors.

The Mangere store has been caught selling alcohol to a minor twice - last month and during a blitz less than 12 months ago.

"It's just irresponsible," Mr Radich said. "It's a very simple idea - it's not rocket science. 'Can I look at your ID? Don't have one? Get out.' That's all they need to say."

Mr Radich said an initiative involving the Papakura and Franklin District Councils called Think-Drink was working to encourage people not to supply alcohol to under-age customers.

Manukau City has long campaigned against the high number of liquor stores in its area.

A bill put forward last year by the Labour Government requiring grocery stores to be at least 150sq m before they could sell alcohol has been picked up the new Government but has yet to be passed. Mr Radich said the city council would continue to push for the legislation.