School gala's beer and wine tent causes upset

Plans for a beer and wine tent at an annual primary school gala tomorrow night has sparked a complaint.

Sandra Howe, who has two nieces and a nephew aged six to 11 at Tauriko School, near Tauranga, said the school's PTA was setting a bad example.

"I think it's highly inappropriate in school grounds, especially primary school. Parents are going to be drinking then getting into cars and driving home. Who's to say they're not going to hit somebody?" she told the Bay of Plenty Times.

"Drinking shouldn't be used as a fundraiser, it's giving the message to kids that you need to have alcohol to have a good time."

Tauriko PTA chairwoman Veronica Dempsey said it was the third year Tauriko School had run a beer and wine marquee as part of its gala festivities and there had never been any problems associated with it.

Louise Aprea, administrator for environmental monitoring at Tauranga City Council, confirmed a special liquor licence had been issued to the school.

It was not that common for a school to apply for a liquor licence, she said.

- NZPA