Alcohol Laws in NZ
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Please note: Alcohol Laws in NZ have recently changed. There is currently a nationwide ban on drinking alcohol in certain public places. The following information was correct at December 2001.
What's the story if you're under 18?
Nelson Youth Councillors want their peers to thinK aBouT alcOhoL saFety during the party season. In 2001 they organised "key meSSage" slides to screen at the State Cinema before movies, to boost awareness of alcohol laws and how to party mOre safeLy.
Nelson Youth Councillors also distributed Alcohol Laws Cards (published by Wellington City Council) in Nelson cafes, shops, info centres and venues. The cards tell you what you can or can't do iF you're UnDeR 18, and they fit iN your pOcket.
What U Can & Can't Do
WHAT YOU CAN do:
If you are under 18 and are with your parent or legal guardian... you can:
- Go into supervised areas of bars and pubs (that's most bars - but be to be sure - check the licence)
- Drink responsibly in a private home or at a private function - like a family BBQ or 21st
Take responsibility for:
- Your drinking
- Your safety
- Your mate's safety
Click to get your 18+ ID Card when you turn 18
what YOU CAN'T dO:
If you are under 18 (without your parent or legal guardian) you can't:
- Drink in a public place - $200 fine
- Go into pubs and bars - $200 fine for you, $2000 fine for the server, $10,000 for the bar
- Buy booze or get an adult to buy you booze - $200 to $2000 fine for each of you
- Carry a fake ID or use someone else's - $2000 fine and the risk of being arrested - it's fraud
At any age, for everyone's safety, you should not...
- Drink & drive
- Be drunk in a public place (you could be kept at the Police Station until you sober up)
- Drink till you're out of it
Remember in some cases your parents may be informed.
Alcohol helpline 0800 787 797
The "What you can and What you can't Do"
alcohol laws information above is provided by
New Zealand Police, Beer Wine & Spirits Council of NZ,
and Wellington City Council.
Below are the Youth Council's fOur Key meSsageS which were screening
on slides at the movies in Nelson:
- Think before you supply under 18s drink ... it could cost you $2000
- If you drink, think:
Take: ID, Cell phone or phone card, Cash for taxis
Eat before & during partying
Drink water or alcohol-free drinks during & after partying
Pace yourself - If you drink, think:
Go out with people you trust
Make times to meet up
Stick together, and look out for your mates
Stay with someone who is sick
If you can't wake someone up, get help fast - If you drink, think:
If someone has been drinking and you can't wake them up, don't leave them alone
They could be in serious danger
You need to act fast
Put them in the recovery position
Ring 111 for an ambulance