The application for a Super Liquor outlet in the fast-growing township, population 2300, has attracted a record 538 opposing submissions, including one from HNZ.
Two local MPs said the agency’s opposition to the application was overreach.
In the submission, the HNZ medical officer of health noted there were already three off-licences in Hāwea, the sale of RTDs and spirits could be harmful and the applicant was not suitable as they lacked knowledge of the local community.
They added local youth wellbeing data consistently demonstrated youth drinking, and in particular binge drinking, continued to be one of the biggest challenges facing youth in the Upper Clutha region.
"It is the medical officer of health’s opinion that there is a very real prospective risk of increased acute and chronic harms from alcohol if this licence is issued."
Waitaki MP Miles Anderson and Act New Zealand list MP Todd Stephenson said the business had every right to apply to build in the area.
Mr Stephenson, Act’s health spokesman, said HNZ’s submission was overreach.
"Health New Zealand has bigger issues to worry about than wading into a hyper-local decision around a single bottle shop.
"We have district licensing committees so locals can have their say — that’s the whole point."
"I’m certainly aware of police and other organisations having the opportunity to submit against or for liquor licences all around the country, but what new information have Health New Zealand provided that we are not already aware of?"
The medical officer of health is one of the three statutory reporting agencies, the others being police and the licensing inspector of the local council, which must be notified and asked to comment on an application for a liquor licence under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
The medical officer of health is not required to make a report on every application, but it is not uncommon for it to submit opposing reports on applications it views as having a negative effect on public health.
Queenstown Lakes District councillor Lyal Cocks is on the council’s licensing committee and said HNZ often submitted against liquor stores.
It was more uncommon to have the general public submit.
"If the submissions are applicable based on the Act, section 105 of the Act criteria, they will be considered.
"Fronting up with a whole lot of emotions is no good and it is not a numbers game either."
Due to the high volume of submissions, the licensing committee organised a three-day hearing to determine whether the Cromwell-based applicant should be granted a liquor licence.
Three outlets in Lake Hāwea — Hāwea Store & Kitchen, Lake Hāwea Hotel and Fresh Choice supermarket — already sell alcohol, but the proposal would be the community’s first stand-alone liquor store.
Keyrouz Holdings Ltd, the company behind the proposal, owns Five Stags restaurant, the Gate Hotel in Cromwell and several other Super Liquor stores in the region, including one in Wānaka.
There was no issue with the location; its store in Alexandra had a playground across the road and its Wānaka store shared a driveway with a church, he said.
Opponents said Lake Hawea was a family-friendly neighbourhood and the store would be in the "wrong location".
Resident and community spokeswoman Lisa Riley said the response reflected deep public concern.
"This isn’t about banning alcohol — many of us enjoy a drink responsibly," Ms Riley said.
"Placing a liquor store at the entrance to a family-focused neighbourhood risks normalising alcohol for our kids and creating issues our community isn’t equipped to manage."
Despite the large number of objectors, this was the first time there had been submissions received in support of an application.
Longview resident Lia DeVries-Voves said she was in support of the store, as it would better serve a growing community.
"More job opportunities will increase work ethic and life education for young adults," she wrote in her submission.
"They [opposers] think they speak for the entire community, and they don’t," Lake Hāwea resident Simon Hoskin, said.
