HOKIANGA SAYS NO TO NEW BOTTLE STORE - CAYAD HOKIANGA

’Ultimately 306 objections were lodged, one of the largest number the Far North District Council had ever received’

On the edge of the Hokianga harbour, Opononi-Omapere has a population of around 800 people. Nearby sit Opononi Area School, Omapere Play Centre and three Marae – Pakanae, Waiwhatawhata and Waimamaku.  Next to the Omapere wharf there is a petrol station, takeaway shop, laundromat and a new seafood and butcher shop called Hoki Smoki instead of a new bottle store.

An application for a new bottle store in Omapere was notified in June 2019. The District Health Board’s public health unit contacted Hauora Hokianga CAYAD kaimahi Tina Quitta and Hayley Paul, who immediately posted the news to their Hauora Hokianga facebook page. Until that post, which reached 6000 people, no one had mentioned the small public notice about the application.

The community was adamant there were enough alcohol outlets already in the Omapere-Opononi vicinity and this was not a suitable spot for another one. People often loitered and drank as there were picnic tables and a 24 hour public toilet close by. With a gas station next door, it also could have encouraged drink driving; Tina’s cousin joked -

“you can go there, do your washing, have a feed, put the kids in the park, pick up a box, then fill up the car and drive home”.

It is also close to a school and to a social support centre for whānau in need.

Opononi resident Medina Davis provided objection forms for objectors to complete at the local community market. Local resident Mereana Watene started a petition against the application, but under the law, signatures could not be counted by the Licensing Committee unless people showed they had a right to object (a ‘greater interest’ than the general public). It is not simple to get it right; Tina pointed out-

“the omission of vital information on the FNDC’s (Far North District Council) notice of objection lead to 229 objections not establishing status”.  

To overcome these problems, Tina and Hayley got advice from others in CAYAD and Tai Tokerau Community Law. They met with Mereana and ensured the petition collected the necessary information.  They mapped out a 1km area around the outlet and went door knocking to provide simple templates and a pre-filled form, and contacted key local organisations about the application.   

The Play Centre, Hauora Hokianga Midwives and staff all objected, as did the marae as a collective – Pakanae, Waiwhatawhata and Waimamaku with support from kaumatua and CAYAD kaimahi Hone Taimona. Tania Pene also put together a strong objection on behalf of Te Runanga A Iwi O Nga Puhi.

Ultimately 306 objections were lodged, one of the largest number the Far North District Council had ever received.  Some 77 objectors achieved status and 17 wanted to be heard.  Mereana said-

“It’s about caring about our people, our haukainga and their wellbeing, I am certain that the result will help reduce social harm.  If it wasn’t for CAYAD’s genuine care and support the petition wouldn’t have gone ahead. FNDC need to address the wording of the form to make it less of a barrier to people.”

Acknowledging the community’s opposition, the applicant decided to withdraw.  Tina and Hayley said the community celebrated the “awesome” result, and gained confidence to get more involved in local issues, including defeating a proposal to create a jetski lane at a popular swimming spot.

Tina emphasised that “whanaungatanga is very important” to these outcomes. Relationships in the alcohol licensing inspectorate and public health unit help her and Hayley keep track of new applications, objections coming in and whether they are valid; other CAYAD advisors and community law helped explain licensing law. Significantly, the team’s strong connection to whānau, hapū and iwi helped them engage local marae and key stakeholders ensuring they were represented in the process.

Hayley Paul and Tina Quitta, Hauora Hokianga