Dunedin City Council grants liquor license for suicide prevention event that sparked Mike King’s alcohol comments

Mental health campaigner Mike King has been criticized for saying alcohol could be “the solution” to some people’s problems.
Photo: Matthieu Joannon via unsplash.com

The Dunedin District Council on Saturday granted a special permit for the sale of alcohol at a fashion show raising money for a suicide prevention charity.

The liquor license application was opposed by police and the city’s licensing inspector, leading to a mental health advocate Mike King makes public comments that alcohol could be “the solution” to some people’s problemsand even goes so far as to suggest that it has done more good than harm.

These comments have been criticized by both mental health workers and politicians, including the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon defends government funding of King’s Gumboot Friday guidance program.

The issue of the special license was decided at a brief licensing board hearing in Dunedin on Friday morning.

Committee chairman Colin Weatherall said although there was opposition to the licence, all parties recognized the quality of the organization and objectives of the event.

“While the link between alcohol and mental health problems is well established, this event – ​​like many others held in Dunedin and around New Zealand – is also an important part of fundraising for suicide prevention and other charities,” said Weatherall.

“With this in mind, the committee has decided to grant the special license for tomorrow’s event.”

The charity fundraiser will be held tomorrow evening (Saturday, November 2, 2024) at Wall Street Mall to raise money for the Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.