In a fascinating turn of events, a community in South Auckland has successfully stood its ground against the launch of a new liquor store in their neighborhood. The Auckland District Licensing Committee (DLC) recently denied an application from SSB 2024 to reopen a bottle shop at 70 Russell Rd, previously known as Black Bull Liquor Manurewa.
This location is alarmingly close to 16 early childhood education centers and three schools, with Manurewa Intermediate situated right next door. It's critical to note that there are already five other alcohol outlets within a 1km radius, making this area one of the most disadvantaged in all of New Zealand.
The application to open the store was met with significant resistance, accumulating 49 objections from local residents, law enforcement, health officials, and community inspectors. Aimalefoa Patelesio Ioane, a vocal resident, shared her personal observations on the positive changes since the old liquor store shuttered. "When that store was operational, I wouldn’t allow my children to walk to the local dairy alone," she expressed. "Just last month, I felt comfortable letting my 4-year-old go there with his older siblings—a freedom I never would have considered before." She noted that the neighborhood had become quieter and more peaceful and that there had been a noticeable drop in public drinking and alcohol-related disturbances.
In a decision released on Tuesday, the DLC concluded that the applicant was unsuitable to manage an off-licence in such a sensitive area. Satinderjit Singh Batth, the director of the company, failed to engage with the community and was notably unprepared to answer questions regarding this matter during the September hearing. Despite having lived in South Auckland for many years and managing Liquor Centre Hall Ave in Māngere—an establishment owned by his father—Batth's experience did not mitigate the committee's concerns.
Committee chair Gavin Campbell stated that although Batth's management skills were commendable, they were insufficient to satisfy the broader suitability standards given the area's vulnerabilities. He emphasized, "Experience and being raised in South Auckland alone do not adequately counter the stipulations of the Local Alcohol Policy (LAP)."
During September's hearing, residents expressed a variety of concerns pertaining to the high levels of deprivation in the vicinity and the potential negative influence of alcohol on both tamariki (children) and rangatahi (youth). Christina Morunga highlighted her personal experiences of issues like public drinking, garbage, and ongoing begging problems. Meanwhile, Ezekiel Robson voiced his worries about the proposed shop's specific location, noting, "There are already numerous places in Manurewa where people can buy alcohol. I believe that the existing outlets are already detrimental to our community."
When contacted by Local Democracy Reporting, Batth claimed he had not yet reviewed the ruling and thus could not provide comments. It’s worth noting that Local Democracy Reporting is collaborative journalism supported by RNZ and NZ On Air. This scenario raises several questions: What implications does this community stand against a liquor store have for local governance and community autonomy? Do you think local concerns should outweigh business interests? Join the conversation and share your thoughts below!
