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Student advocacy group opposes Speight’s licence renewal over ‘predatory’ campaigns

Author
Ben Tomsett,
Publish Date
Wed, 25 Sep 2024, 4:00pm
Students celebrating St Patrick's Day in Dunedin. Photo / Ben Tomsett
Students celebrating St Patrick's Day in Dunedin. Photo / Ben Tomsett

Student advocacy group opposes Speight’s licence renewal over ‘predatory’ campaigns

Author
Ben Tomsett,
Publish Date
Wed, 25 Sep 2024, 4:00pm

A historic Dunedin brewery is having its licence renewal questioned following alleged 鈥減redatory鈥 marketing campaigns targeting Dunedin鈥檚 student community by its parent company.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy 艑tepoti (SSDP) has lodged an objection to the renewal of an on-licence for the Speight鈥檚 Heritage Centre, operated by Lion NZ Limited, citing concerns over the company鈥檚 鈥減redatory鈥 tactics.

The Speight鈥檚 Heritage Centre is part of the historic Speight鈥檚 Brewery complex and serves as a museum and visitor centre, visiting a tasting room is included as part of its guided tours.

The police, medical officer of health and licensing inspector have not opposed the licence renewal, which is set to be discussed by the Dunedin District Licensing Committee (DDLC) on Friday.

Students celebrating St Patrick's Day in Dunedin. Photo / Ben Tomsett
Students celebrating St Patrick's Day in Dunedin. Photo / Ben Tomsett

The council licensing inspector noted said the centre鈥檚 liquor licence also covered functions at the brewery, while an off-licence allowed people to buy pre-packaged Speight鈥檚 bottles, or 鈥渇ill-your-own riggers鈥.

鈥淭his premises was found to be run to a high standard with very knowledgeable staff. There are no issues as to the suitability of the applicant,鈥 they said.

In a statement submitted to the DDLC, SSDP president Maxwell Phillips argued that Lion NZ Limited鈥檚 marketing of the 6% alcohol-by-volume ready-to-drink (RTD) brand Kirin Hyoketsu was aggressively directed at the student population during the 鈥渧ulnerable鈥 Orientation Week period.

Maxwell鈥檚 submission noted the Kirin Hyoketsu RTD was promoted through eye-catching displays, including a student flat painted in the brand鈥檚 colours and advertisements strategically placed throughout North Dunedin.

鈥淭his form of marketing exploits students, who are especially susceptible to hazardous drinking,鈥 said Maxwell.

A tasting tray at Speights Brewery in Dunedin. Photo / Supplied
A tasting tray at Speights Brewery in Dunedin. Photo / Supplied

SSDP鈥檚 submission claimed the company鈥檚 marketing practices, particularly during the high-risk Orientation Week, have encouraged excessive consumption among students.

鈥淲e will continue to advocate for measures that protect our community from the harms of alcohol,鈥 Maxwell said.

A Lion NZ spokesperson said the on-licence renewal relates to the continued supply of Speight鈥檚 products to tour participants in the Tasting Room and function hosting.

鈥淭he Speight鈥檚 Heritage Centre is run to a high standard; we have excellent staff, training, and systems in place, and an exemplary record of compliance,鈥 they said.

鈥淥ut of respect for the process, we won鈥檛 be commenting further while the licence application hearing is underway.鈥

The Speight鈥檚 Heritage Centre is part of Speight鈥檚, which opened in 1876 and is New Zealand鈥檚 oldest operating brewery.

The hearing is set to take place on Friday.

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