Tariana Turia, MP for Te Tai Hauauru has commended Russell School, and the Porirua community for standing up and opposing the renewal of a liquor license to for an alcohol shop which is located right outside the gates of Russell School in Cannons Creek, Porirua.

Mrs Turia said "this is a school and a community, who have shown tremendous leadership, and is prepared to speak up in the best interests of their whanau."

"Alcohol is linked to many social and health issues, and Russell School has quite clearly said - no - to the relicensing of an alcohol shop, no more than 50 steps outside their front gates."

"The Maori Party are absolutely opposed to alcohol being sold in close proximity to schools, and we support the Russell School community for speaking out on this issue."

Mrs Turia said "we really need to stop and think about the impact that alcohol is having on the wairua of our people, our whanau and communities."

"I want to see a range of measures put in place to reduce the accessibility of alcohol, including provisions to prevent alcohol shops operating in close proximity to schools, banning of advertising, and I want to see social impact analyses so that we may fully understand the effect that alcohol has on the wellbeing of our communities."

"To this end, the Maori Party will be learning from the experiences of communities such as Cannons Creek in Porirua, and Castlecliff in Whanganui, to put before the House a range of amendments which reflect local solutions, when the Alcohol Reform Bill comes back to the House", said Mrs Turia.

The community, are today marching to the Porirua District Court, to hear the court decision on the renewal of the licence to Thirsty Liquor, which currently operates on Fantame Street.

Mrs Turia said "we are about healthy whanau for healthy futures. Russell School should be commended for their tremendous strength and advocacy of this kaupapa."