Westies resent paying more for booze
Some New Zealanders who live in liquor trust-run areas are paying more for their beer, partly because supermarkets can’t sell alcohol.
Community-owned trusts have had a monopoly over alcohol sales in West Auckland, Invercargill, and parts of south Otago.
This meant residents have to pay more for their beer and wine, and often drive further to get to the closest liquor store.
In West Auckland, The Trusts, as they are called, have divided the region – some say they reduce alcohol harm and give back to the community, while others resent the control they have over alcohol.
Recent debate over the issue has sparked a community movement for a referendum over the future of The Trusts.
Residents last voted on The Trusts 15 years ago, and many say the population has changed in that time.
However, The Trusts say their own polls show a majority support for the current model.
West Auckland resident Nick Smale, who is leading a petition to vote against The Trusts, thinks it is unfair that Westies have to pay more.
‘‘I think West Aucklanders should be free to buy beer and wine at the supermarket.’’
A Sunday Star-Times analysis of alcohol prices at West Liquor (a chain of 21 West Auckland liquor stores), Liquorland and Countdown found beer and wine was cheaper at non-Trusts outlets.
A 12-pack of Carlsberg cost $24.99 at West Liquor. Down the road at Liquorland in Pt Chevalier, a privately run store, a larger 15-pack of Carlsberg cost just $2 more at $26.99. At Countdown supermarket, a 12-pack was just $19.99.
A 15-pack of Heineken was $35.99 at West Liquor, $32.99 from Liquorland and $29.99 at Countdown.
A Villa Maria Pinot Gris was priciest from West Liquor at $16.99. At Liquorland it cost $14.99 and it was $13 at Countdown.
The Trusts – The Portage and Waitakere Licensing Trusts – control 43 bars and liquor outlets in West Auckland, and have a combined turnover of $100 million a year.
Some of the profits from the sale of alcohol go back into the community through projects and groups.
The Trusts chief executive Simon Wickham said pricing models differed between supermarkets and speciality retailers.
In other areas where community run trusts operate, the price differences are not nearly as pronounced.
In the Wairarapa, prices between trust and non-trust run stores were similar.
A 15-pack of Steinlager was $27.99 at both the Big Barrel Masterton and the Trust House-owned Bottle-O Martinborough. There was little difference for the 2016 Matua Sauvignon Blanc: $14.99 at the Bottle-O, versus $13.99 at the Big Barrel.
Invercargill Licensing Trust chief executive Chris Ramsay said his stores belonged to the Super Liquor and Liquorland franchises to ensure prices were as competitive as possible and the same as the rest of New Zealand.
‘‘It is no more expensive to buy your liquor in Invercargill than anywhere else in the country.’’
At the Liquorland Centrepoint in Invercargill, a 12-pack of Carlsberg was selling for $25.99, a 15-pack of Steinlager had a shelf price of $32.99, but was on sale for $24.99, and the Matua Sauvignon Blanc had a shelf price of $14.99, but was on sale for $12.99.
At the Lorneville Super Liquor, outside the trust licensing boundaries, prices were slightly higher – a-12 pack of Carlsberg cost $27.99, and a 15-pack of Steinlager $29.99.
Consumer NZ chief executive Suzanne Chetwin said the social impact of alcohol was so much bigger than just pricing.