The Trusts

The Trusts are a group of two community-owned organisations (licensing trusts) with a near monopoly on the sale of alcohol in West Auckland.[1] They are one of the largest alcohol retailers in New Zealand.

The Trusts
IndustryRetail, hospitality
Headquarters
New Zealand
Area served
New Zealand
ProductsLiquor stores
Websitethetrusts.co.nz

The Portage Licensing Trust covers the areas bordered by New Lynn, Waikumete Cemetery, Glen Eden and Titirangi. The Waitākere Licensing Trust covers the communities around Glendene, Piha, Henderson, Te Atatu and Kumeu.[1]

The Trusts operate all hotels, taverns and off-licenses in their districts. They operate 18 liquor stores under the own West Liquor brand,[2] four store under the Village Wine & Spirits brand,[2] and three stores as LiquorLand franchises.[3] The WestLiquor online shop provides click-and-collect and delivery.[4]

The only other businesses permitted to sell alcohol are liquor stores that operated in the area before 1972, or businesses that make alcohol such as wineries and breweries.[1]

Trustees are elected through local body elections, and surplus profits are returned to the community through grants, rebates, sponsorships and community initiatives. The monopoly of The Trusts can only be removed if a privately organised petition signed by at least 15% of all eligible voters forces a referendum, and at least 50% of all eligible voters on polling day.[1]

History

The Trusts were established in 1972 as a community-led initiative to control the sale of alcohol.[1][5]

The Trusts Stadium, one of The Trust's most significant investments. opened in September 2004. It cost $28 million to complete but opened debt-free, with The Trusts providing $5 million.[6] The stadium attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year, hosting a range of events, including concerts, sporting events and community gatherings.[7]

Between July 2010 and June 2013, The Trusts invested $30.7 million from its gaming machines into local causes.[8]

By 2013, The Trusts were generating $100 million a year in sales and employing 400 people.[8]

In 2021, The Trusts reached an agreement with Foodstuffs to operate a new LiquorLand franchise and convert some of its existing West Liquor stores to LiquorLand franchisees.[3][9]

In October 2021, an action group opposed to The Trusts said it almost had enough signatures to force a vote in the Waitākere Licensing Trust area.[9] The group claimed The Trusts' monopoly was stopping bars and restaurants from establishing in on the Te Atatū Peninsula.[5]

The Trusts was the first New Zealand business to boycott Russian products in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[10] On 1 March 2022, it removed all Russian vodkas and beers from shelves, putting Ukrainian flags in their space.[11] Foodstuffs introduced a similar policy in all other LiquorLand stores three days later.[12]

Trustees

Portage Licensing Trust (2019–2022)
Member(s) Affiliation (if any)
Catherine Farmer City Vision
Margi Watson City Vision
Ami Chand Labour
Leanne Taylor (President) Labour
Neil Henderson Future West
Janet Clews Independent
Mark Roberts Future West
Ben Goodale Trusts Action Group

Waitākere Licensing Trust (2019–2022)
Member(s) Affiliation (if any)
Penny Hulse Independent
Brooke Loader Labour
Linda Cooper (President) Independent
Warren Flaunty Independent
John Loau Independent
Mark Allen Future West
Lynette Adams Independent

References
  1. "Licensing trusts in west Auckland". aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Auckland Council.
  2. "The Trusts". thetrusts.co.nz. The Trusts.
  3. Keall, Chris (8 July 2021). "West Auckland booze war: The Trusts ink partnership with Liquorland - a new dawn?". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. New Zealand Herald.
  4. "Shop online with West Liquor and Village Wine & Spirits". thetrusts.co.nz. The Trusts.
  5. Tokalau, Torika (20 September 2020). "Caught in the middle of an alcohol monopoly, some residents say Auckland beachside community in dire need for change". stuff.co.nz.
  6. "Waitakere City Athletic Club".
  7. "The Trusts Arena | | Auckland, New Zealand". Thetrustsstadium.co.nz. Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  8. "Community message at the heart of trusts' pitch". APN News & Media. New Zealand Herald. 8 October 2013.
  9. Keall, Chris (8 October 2021). "West Auckland liquor fight: enough signatures gained to trigger referendum on Trust's monopoly". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. New Zealand Herald.
  10. Clark-Dow, Emma (1 March 2022). "Auckland liquor stores pull Russian alcohol from shelves in support of Ukraine". stuff.co.nz.
  11. "West Auckland Trusts to remove Russian vodka and beer from shelves". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. New Zealand Herald. 1 March 2022.
  12. Harding, Evan (4 March 2022). "Liquorland refusing to buy Russian vodka following Ukraine invasion". stuff.co.nz.
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