Cashmere Club may lose its liquor licence over member’s death
Sunday, 28 June 2026
The Cashmere Club may lose its liquor licence following a police investigation into the accidental death of a club member after a night of heavy drinking at the premises.
The club has acknowledged “mistakes were made” prior to the tragedy, but plans to fight any sanction attempt by police.
Colin Hunt, 69, known as Charlie to his friends, died on September 21 after suffering severe head trauma.
Hunt, who had been celebrating his 70th birthday at the club, fell backwards onto concrete paving and hit his head. An ambulance was called to the club at 2.25am on September 20 ‒ more than an hour after its liquor licence period ended for the night.
Hunt was taken to hospital and placed in intensive care. but his family were told he had suffered an “assault on the brain” ‒ severe head trauma from which he could not recover. He died the following day.
The police alcohol harm prevention unit investigated the incident. On Friday, club president Andy Webster wrote to members to inform them the investigation was complete.
“The club has been formally advised that the police have applied to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA) for the cancellation or suspension of the club’s liquor licence and/or a variation in trading hours.”
ARLA would likely consider the matter in late 2026, Webster said. The club’s licence remained in place until then. On a Friday night (September 19, the night Hunt was celebrating his birthday, was a Friday) that licence allows for it to sell alcohol until 1am the following day.
“As this matter is presently before ARLA, the club is unable to comment publicly on it beyond acknowledging the proceedings. However, the board wishes to reassure members that whilst mistakes were made, the club will strongly oppose the police application and is fully engaged with our legal representative in the licensing process. This includes preparing and submitting appropriate mitigation factors as part of the process.
“We acknowledge that this news will be concerning for members, and we thank you for your continued support and patience during this challenging period.”
The club publicly acknowledged Hunt’s death in December. At the time Webster said Hunt was a “long-standing and highly respected” member and his death was “deeply [saddening]”. The New Zealand flag at the club flew at half-mast.
The Cashmere Club has battled financial and cultural issues recently. It was mired in debt and last year sold a chunk of its land to developer Brooksfield to turn into apartments and townhouses.
Numerous former workers and members told The Press the club has been plagued by a culture variously described as toxic, cliquey, unwelcoming and moribund, all the while controlled by a core membership resistant to change.
When the club applied for its current licence in May last year, it noted that, “members and their guests who are visibly intoxicated will not be served alcohol, will be asked to leave the premises and will be encouraged to take advantage of safe transport options”.
Webster and club general manager Murray Davies declined to comment further when approached by The Press.
Davies said the issue was being dealt with by the club’s lawyers. They have not been given a date for the hearing.