Ahern [2010] NZLLA 561 (13 May 2010)

Last Updated: 20 May 2010

[2010] NZLLA PH 561

IN THE MATTER of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989

AND

IN THE MATTER of an application by SARAH JANE AHERN pursuant to s.123 of the Act for renewal of a General Manager's Certificate

BEFORE THE LIQUOR LICENSING AUTHORITY

Quorum: Ms J D Moorhead
Dr J Horn

HEARING at WELLINGTON on 29 April 2010

APPEARANCES

No appearance by or on behalf of applicant
Mr R S Putze - Wellington District Licensing Agency Inspector - in opposition
Sergeant J R Thurston - NZ Police - to assist

ORAL DECISION OF THE AUTHORITY

[1] Before the Authority is an application for the renewal of the General Manager's Certificate issued to Sarah Jane Ahern in 2002. The application for renewal was filed on 3 March 2010.

[2] The application was opposed by a Wellington District Licensing Agency Inspector, Mr Richard Putze. At the Wellington District Licensing Agency each application for renewal of a manager’s certificate asks the applicant “what steps has the applicant taken to manage the sale and supply of liquor pursuant to the licence with the aim of contributing to reduction of liquor abuse”. The applicant failed to answer this satisfactorily and did not respond to follow up letters. Neither did she attend an interview or contact the Wellington District Licensing Agency. As a result the application was referred to the Authority and the matter set down for a public hearing.

[3] The applicant failed to appear at the public hearing in support of her application. In view of her non appearance and the lack of information as to whether she is currently employed in the industry the Authority is unable to establish that she meets the criteria set out in s.126 of the Act.

[4] As a result the application for the renewal of the General Manager's Certificate is declined.

DATED at WELLINGTON this 13TH day of May 2010

B M Holmes
Deputy Secretary

Sarah Ahern.doc(aw)