Not accepting overseas drivers' licences as identification during the Rugby World Cup is denying people's right to a drink, says a Taranaki publican.
With thousands of tourists due to hit New Plymouth in September, concerns have been raised about what will be accepted as identification when they head into town.
ATaranaki Daily News article surveying New Plymouth publicans on what ID their licensed premises allow this week showed most would only accept New Zealand driver's licences, passports and Hospitality Association New Zealand (Hanz) 18+ cards, not foreign drivers' licences.
But Peggy Gordon's owner Bertie Burleigh said his establishment would be adopting a commonsense approach during the festivities.
"It's a denial of people's rights to go to a pub and not be able to use a photo ID, like a driver's licence, to be served," Mr Burleigh said.
"If someone looks old enough to drink then commonsense will prevail and I'll accept a photo ID from them. It's up to the police to prove they're not the right age."
Mr Burleigh said he understood a plan was being put in place by Hanz to scan passports of overseas visitors and produce an ID that could be used in licensed premises to avoid tourists having to carry their passports on them.
But Hanz chief executive Bruce Robertson said an alternative ID was discussed by Rugby World Cup organisers, Hanz and police but a decision was made that it wouldn't be possible because it requires a law change and would complicate the current system.
"It would create confusion for what is acceptable ID and the reason we only have the three forms of ID allowed is to keep it consistent and to make it easy to train staff in licensed premises," he said.
Mr Robertson said only 6 per cent of the expected tourists flooding into the country are likely to fall in the under-24 demographic.
"That's not a large number and I don't think it will be a major problem."
He said Hanz has suggested to the Rugby World Cup organisers that they warn ticketholders of the New Zealand identification requirements before they enter the country. Tourists can also apply for a Hanz 18+ card online before they arrive.
With thousands of tourists due to hit New Plymouth in September, concerns have been raised about what will be accepted as identification when they head into town.
ATaranaki Daily News article surveying New Plymouth publicans on what ID their licensed premises allow this week showed most would only accept New Zealand driver's licences, passports and Hospitality Association New Zealand (Hanz) 18+ cards, not foreign drivers' licences.
But Peggy Gordon's owner Bertie Burleigh said his establishment would be adopting a commonsense approach during the festivities.
"It's a denial of people's rights to go to a pub and not be able to use a photo ID, like a driver's licence, to be served," Mr Burleigh said.
"If someone looks old enough to drink then commonsense will prevail and I'll accept a photo ID from them. It's up to the police to prove they're not the right age."
Mr Burleigh said he understood a plan was being put in place by Hanz to scan passports of overseas visitors and produce an ID that could be used in licensed premises to avoid tourists having to carry their passports on them.
But Hanz chief executive Bruce Robertson said an alternative ID was discussed by Rugby World Cup organisers, Hanz and police but a decision was made that it wouldn't be possible because it requires a law change and would complicate the current system.
"It would create confusion for what is acceptable ID and the reason we only have the three forms of ID allowed is to keep it consistent and to make it easy to train staff in licensed premises," he said.
Mr Robertson said only 6 per cent of the expected tourists flooding into the country are likely to fall in the under-24 demographic.
"That's not a large number and I don't think it will be a major problem."
He said Hanz has suggested to the Rugby World Cup organisers that they warn ticketholders of the New Zealand identification requirements before they enter the country. Tourists can also apply for a Hanz 18+ card online before they arrive.
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