A lawyer for a controversial new liquor store in south Auckland has dismissed all the evidence against it from the police, health professionals and local residents.
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A licence was granted for Clendon Wines despite opposition from hundreds of people, and the Manurewa Local Board, which brought the appeal.
At the appeal today against the new licence, the board's solicitor argued police officers and locals gave first-hand evidence, based on living and working in the area.
But the liquor store's lawyer John Young said the concerns were not specific enough.
"The evidence of the objectors was generalised and it's important that is something that comes out in the decision.
"And the decision is fair and reasonable based on evidence, and there can be no suggestion that a miscarriage of justice occured.
Mr Young said even the best evidence contained only general demographic data, and observations of litter and young people buying alcohol, without referring to individual incidents.
Manurewa Local Board deputy chair Simeon Brown said the area has a high level of alcohol-related crime, but individuals and community groups were priced out of making appeals.
"Out of the 600 somwhat people who oppose the application, we are the only body which is appealing it.
"But that's due to the fact that it costs $500 to put an appeal in.
"So the community made it very clear to the Manuwera Local Board that they wanted us to appeal, and we're doing that on behalf of the community and on behalf of the 600 people who objected to this store," he said.
The appeal decision is expected in the next two weeks.