‘Not happy’ about liquor store opposite Māpua School

Māpua could soon have two new liquor stores, one right across the street from Māpua School, which has been met with mixed views from the community.

The Māpua community currently only has access to beer and wine through the local Four Square or Sprig + Fern. However, since April 26, two off-licence liquor applications have been lodged with Tasman District Council to open full service liquor stores.

The application for a liquor licence to open a Super Liquor across the road from Māpua School was lodged on April 26.

Māpua School principal Sharon Prestidge says the school board’s view is that they must oppose the application as it is not what’s best for children.

“Research shows that its not good for children’s health to have liquor stores that close to the school.

“For that reason we’re not happy about it going in.

“It really is that simple,” Sharon says.

She says Nelson Holdings Limited, who would operate the store, has given assurances about advertising.

“They’re great, they’re really responsible and understanding, but we don’t think this is good for our children,” Sharon says.

Local parent Amber Bonny is also against the location, citing a range of reasons.

“I don’t agree with it being so close to the school.”

She also raised concerns about Aranui Park and the school grounds being poorly lit at night time, potentially creating spaces for young people to congregate and drink.

Some other parents said they were looking forward to having a full service liquor store in the township and were glad it is a reputable brand like Super Liquor, others said they don’t mind either way.

Nelson Holdings Limited operations director Dave Hall says the company is a family-run business which operates five liquor stores in the region.

A community engagement meeting was held at the Mapua Bowling Club on April 7 which Waimea Weekly understands became heated at times.

“It was great to see so many passionate locals turn up for the evening,” Dave says.
“There was a good discussion held around some concerns, many of which were misunderstandings.

“For example, there was a concern raised that the proposed bottle store would be replacing the existing vegetable store. This is not the case; we are looking forward to working closely with management of the vegetable store and offering another service to the Mapua community.”

He says there has been a lot of very positive feedback to the proposal, both received directly and via social media, especially around the need for a full service store in Mapua.

“Many of the Māpua community find the need to drive 15-20 minutes to either Richmond or Motueka very inconvenient”.

Dave says the school’s representatives have raised some valid concerns.

"We are positive we can work together with the school community to address these issues.”

Health Action Trust Community Action on Youth Alcohol and other Drugs (CAYAD) programme coordinator, Marcelo Ribas, says children are greatly impacted by their surroundings.

“The proposed location of a liquor store within 100 metres from school gates will create an unnecessary exposure to alcohol on a major transit route to and from school.”

The second application was lodged on 3 May, for a Liquorland store at 65A Aranui Rd.

Marcelo is assisting the Māpua community to make submissions which can be made by searching alcohol licensing notices on Tasman District Council’s website.