The claims were heard yesterday by Dunedin’s district licensing committee during a hearing for an on-licence renewal application for the Harbourview Stadium Hotel in Ravensbourne.
The application was opposed by the medical officer of health delegate and a licensing inspector, who raised concerns about the management of the premises and the provision of adequate food, a report to the committee said.
At the hearing, owner Dr Hu Zhang recounted an inspection by the inspector and delegate in January, which he alleged involved questioning that he compared to being treated "like a criminal" and believed had led to errors in their reporting.
"This gave us a strong feeling, this is verbal abuse and racism."
He had lost trust in the inspector and had since complained to her manager, he said.
He also believed her report was "misleading" and had mixed up information, while the delegate’s report was "not evidence-based", Dr Zhang said.
"Basically, I think his report [is] invalid.
"It’s not based on the true information."
Licensing inspector Alison Blair said she made "no apology for inquiring into this application".
"If I ask questions and don’t receive answers, then I have to keep asking questions and that’s all I’ve done."
She later said there were some aspects of the premises the delegate "might have taken a little bit too far", such as an empty chiller and disconnected kegs of beer.
"It was a little heated.
"There was a lot of questioning because it really did seem like the questions weren’t really being answered.
"I don’t think there was any harm done at that meeting. It was the way we would normally approach any other renewal."
The committee was told the premises were only open on Wednesdays between 4.30pm and 8pm.
Ms Blair said she did not believe there was any alcohol-related harm occurring at the premises, "because I don’t think anybody really frequents the premises", and she questioned whether it needed to have a liquor licence.
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Southern medical officer of health Dr Michael Butchard acknowledged Dr Zhang had found the inspection by the delegate to be "an unpleasant experience".
All visits were intended to be conducted in a professional and respectful manner, and he understood a meeting between the team leader of the delegate and Dr Zhang had been "amicable".
The current economic climate was very tough for a small business owner and they were "really struggling", Dr Zhang said.
He bought the premises in 2011 and had wanted to help the local community, which hoped he would keep the premises open, he said.
But he was having a "serious think" about passing the business on to a younger generation of owners, he said.
Committee member Katie Lane urged Dr Zhang to educate himself so he understood what licensing involved.
"From a business perspective, you probably need to question whether or not you want your licence and if it’s worth the heartache and the cost for what you’re selling."
