The dispute over a Flaxmere bottle store’s bid to renew its liquor licence continues, with a public hearing scheduled in an attempt to come to a resolution.
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board’s Medical Officer of Health considered Flaxmere Liquor’s renewal application and had “not identified any concerns under the criteria for objection as set down within the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012”.
A DHB spokeswoman said the Medical Officer of Health has, however, “recommended the District Licensing Committee consider a public hearing to allow any concerned members of the community to express their views.” But some say this is not enough. Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit and community leader, Des Ratima filed one of three official objections, noting the damage alcohol causes as a legalised drug to both families and the wider community.
“The more sites like this that get opened up and are allowed to stay open, the more normal it appears to our younger people. If it is not challenged, then our people will see it as being normal and therefore okay, so if you want to change behaviour, then you have to look at it from the point of view that it is not normal.”
Hastings District Councillor Henare O’Keefe also objected, saying “we can’t just bend over and allow an application just to slip through”.
“We all know the ramifications of alcohol, so somewhere along the lines we need radicals like myself that will go against the orthodox, go against the norm and make a stand.”
Recently, fellow councillor Jacoby Poulain sat outside the liquor store in question and watched “carload after carload of customers pull up to purchase”.
“Couple this scene with the sales from the supermarket [New World Flaxmere] and the nearby Tavern [ The Flax] and in my opinion that’s a lot of alcohol being sold and consumed.
“Personally, I would like to see more being given back to the community for harm education and positive community initiatives from the profit of all sales and more oversight of the wider impacts upon the community.”
New World Flaxmere owneroperator Chris Hart said they strongly believe that having a liquor licence is a “privilege not a right and we go to extensive efforts to offer products in a safe and legal environment”.
New World is part of a sensible drinking campaign in conjunction with Cheers NZ called “Always Graze When You Liaise” featuring William Waiirua.
The campaign focused on mak-
ing good choices and always eating while drinking, he said.
The District Licensing Committee was unable to comment before the hearing.
The Eastern District Alcohol Harm Reduction team was aware of the application and said there has been no objection by police.
“As the matter remains before the District Licensing Committee it would not be appropriate for police to comment further,” a police spokeswoman said. Drones. Love them or hate them they are here to stay, and in response to increasing numbers Te Mata Park has put new guidelines in place for operators.
Owner of Tim Whittaker Photography Tim Whittaker, who has been using a drone for eight years, is happy with the guidelines, as he says the primary purpose of the park is to allow people to be with nature.
“Te Mata Park is such a beautiful place, and, on the flipside, an amazing place to go fly a drone, but more importantly for the people who use it, a place where they can be in nature and private, as well as in a peaceful environment.”
“Drones are about as appreciated as a jet ski. Not many people like them, I fully understand that.”
Manager of the Te Mata Park Trust Emma Buttle said it was a response to the increasing number of drone users in the park, and guidelines would become more common place across the world.
“It’s something that’s just become increasingly evident, that there’s definitely more and more use of drones up in the park, and that’s on a worldwide basis as well, not just locally. The feedback is generally positive from park users. They feel it’s about time we address the drone policy.”
She said the policy was based on Civil Aviation Authority guidelines and the Hasting District Council’s draft policy around drone use, with some specific guidelines for Te Mata.
She said the guidelines were essentially common sense, including not flying onto roads and not flying onto neighbouring properties.
The board was also hoping for increased communication between drone operators and the board. Operators would have to apply for permission to use their drone in the park.
To ensure people knew about the policy the board was putting new signs up in the park.
She said there are volunteers and a caretaker who work in the park, who would keep an eye out for any unusual behaviour, but, apart from that, the new guidelines would be managed by a system of trust.
“I want to make it clear though as well, if any drone operators have any questions or concerns, just to make contact with us and we’re happy to talk with them,” she said.
“We do realise as well, the footage of the park is very important from a commercial perspective as well.
“We don’t want to restrict it, just make sure we are all on the same page.”