The Salvation Army is supporting Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board member Jill Taylor’s call to ban the sale of alcohol in Waipā supermarkets.
Taylor suggested Waipā follow Australia’s example of not selling alcohol in supermarkets, during a Local Alcohol Policy workshop in May.
Ana Ika
Salvation Army social policy analyst and advocate Ana Ika told The News the Salvation Army supported Taylor’s suggestion.
“We have always advocated for alcohol harm mitigation through minimising advertising, accessibility, availability and affordability of alcohol because of the level of alcohol harm we see with many we support,” Ika said.
“The supermarkets go against these as alcohol is often the first thing you see when you walk into many supermarkets, a lot cheaper than on-licences, supermarkets are everywhere and are open for longer periods.
“People drink their cheap alcohol in the privacy of their homes, and this is often where we see incidences of violence and family violence.”
Jill Taylor
The Salvation Army advocated for the trust model found in West Auckland and Invercargill where alcohol is not sold in supermarkets, but in bottle stores where profits are returned to the community.
Participants in the Salvation Army’s alcohol and drug dependency programme purposefully shopped in these areas so as not to be confronted with alcohol when they are doing their grocery shopping, Ika said.
“Alcohol in supermarkets also portrays the idea that alcohol is an ordinary commodity and, in our view, perpetuates the role that alcohol negatively plays in our society,” Ika said.
“The supermarket duopoly has a stronghold on how alcohol is sold in New Zealand. Any time alcohol is restricted from being sold in supermarkets would be a way to loosen that stronghold.”
Woolworths New Zealand public relations specialist Seán Rose said the group did not have a specific comment on Taylor’s remarks.
“We take our responsibilities as an alcohol retailer very seriously and are always willing to engage with relevant stakeholders on our approach.”
Woolworths New Zealand owns Woolworths, SuperValue and FreshChoice supermarkets.
Foodstuffs New Zealand, owner of Four Square, New World and Pak’n Save, did not respond to the request for comments.
Health New Zealand regional clinical director William Rainger said Health NZ took alcohol harm, and the risk of alcohol-related harm to communities seriously.
Wine in the supermarket
“Medical Officers of Health work within the legislation, the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. The Act requires several agencies including council, police, and health to make assessments when considering new licences or licence renewals to ensure all the rules under the act are being adhered to,” he said.
“If any local alcohol policies are in place, these agencies can provide further support to minimise alcohol-related harm. For example, Local Alcohol Policies can include rules around times which establishments and off-licenses are open.
“However, the District Licensing Committee is ultimately responsible for making final licensing decisions.”
