Five Tauranga liquor stores handed licence suspension after being caught selling to minors
The breaches of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act occurred during joint compliance operations by Tauranga City Council's licensing inspectors and a Tauranga police alcohol harm prevention co-ordinator.
The suspensions have sparked calls for 'greater accountability and oversight' of off-licence premises and stricter licensing criteria for duty managers from Tauranga alcohol harm expert Dr Tony Farrell.
The council, which sought the eight suspensions, has confirmed the number of compliance failures during controlled purchase operations had more than doubled in two years.
Council's compliance message
Council Alcohol Licensing team leader Sam Kemp said eight premises failed controlled purchase operations last month.
Kemp said the council was awaiting ARLA decisions for the remaining three off-licence premises and three duty managers for whom suspension applications had been submitted.
'Over the past few years, we have observed a significant increase in compliance failures, which have more than doubled from three in 2023, and four suspensions in 2024.'
He said the four suspensions last year included two duty managers, one of whom allowed a person to become intoxicated on the premises.
To date there had been eight failures in 2025, he said.
'This trend appears to be primarily due to complacency among duty managers, who often neglect basic compliance practices such as asking customers for their age or requesting identification.'
Call for greater deterrent measures
Dr Tony Farrell from Mount Medical Centre said the sale of alcohol to minors was 'extremely concerning'.
'The evidence is clear that alcohol use in those under 18 is associated with significant harm.
'Including increased risk of injury, impaired brain development, poorer academic outcomes, suicide, and greater likelihood of risky behaviours.
'Early alcohol use also increases the risk of developing long-term dependency. These harms are well-documented and preventable. '
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He said retailers who sold alcohol had a responsibility to 'uphold the law and protect young people from these risks' and failing to check ID was a 'serious breach' of that duty.
For many large retail outlets, a two-day closure may be 'little more' than an inconvenience.
Farrell said he supported 'mandatory training and stricter licensing criteria' for duty managers, regular controlled purchase operations and a graduated penalty system that included longer suspensions.
He said the broader issue was that off-licence alcohol sales were 'widely accessible and heavily marketed', particularly to vulnerable populations, including youth.
'A national approach to reducing alcohol availability and advertising exposure is urgently needed.'
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee said it was the responsibility of liquor outlets to work within the law and conditions of their licence.
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'I am aware that most licence holders have appropriate systems in place to ensure they do. However, those who fail to comply should be expected to face the full consequences of their offending.'
McKee said she regularly met with stakeholders with a range of interests and views on alcohol licensing.
'We are looking at many parts of the [Sale and Supply of Alcohol] act that can address harm reduction, but also note an overall reduction in alcohol consumption generally.'
Licence suspension periods
Super Liquor Te Puke off-licence suspension from 9am on May 3 to 9am on May 5
Liquorland CBD Tauranga, Papamoa Liquor Centre, Bottle Craft Te Puna and Avenue Liquor Centre off-licence suspensions from 9am on May 4 to 9am on May 6.
Manager certificate suspensions for Liquorland CBD Tauranga, Papamoa Liquor Centre, Bottle Craft Te Puna and Super Liquor Te Puke from May 5 to June 1.
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