Cashmere Club bar licence suspended following member's death
Thursday 1 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority, Cashmere Club
The Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority has suspended the Cashmere Club's bar licence for three months. This follows the death of member Colin Hunt, who died from head trauma after falling outside the Christchurch venue. During the suspension, the club may only serve alcohol to restaurant patrons.
Key facts
5 facts
- Colin (Charlie) Hunt died from head trauma after falling on steps and hitting his head on concrete.
- The incident occurred in September 2025.
- The bar tab for the group totaled $2,315.98.
- The club's licence suspension begins on 1 February 2027.
- Rebecca Hine's manager's certificate was cancelled.
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
The Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA) has ordered a three-month suspension of the Cashmere Club's bar licence following the death of member Colin (Charlie) Hunt. From 1 February 2027, the club will only be permitted to serve alcohol to restaurant patrons who are eating or have ordered a substantial meal. The decision follows the death of Mr Hunt, who died in hospital after falling and hitting his head during his 70th birthday celebrations in September 2025.
CCTV footage showed that staff continued to serve heavy rounds of drinks and shots well after the club's 1am closing time. Mr Hunt's group ran up a bar tab of $2,315.98 between 2:35 pm and 1:24 am, with only three food platters supplied during that period. The authority noted that Mr Hunt was clearly heavily drunk and was served numerous shots even after an earlier fall where he hit his head on the bar and was given an ice pack.
The ARLA cancelled the manager's certificate of Rebecca Hine, who had finished her shift but was drinking with the group. The authority described the sale and supply of alcohol as both "unsafe and unreasonable". While police sought to cancel the club's licence, the ARLA decided against it, stating the club is a "community hub" and the incident appeared to be a "one-off".
The club must also extend its CCTV coverage to include the restaurant and pool room by the end of the year. The club's liquor licence expiry has been brought forward to July 2027.
Where reports differ
- Reports vary on the exact time of the fatal fall, with one stating 2:20am and others noting the fall occurred in the early hours.
Compiled from reports by Stuff, The Press and RNZ.