Alcohol
The Law & You
Underage Drinking
Alcohol
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Underage Drinking
If you are under 18 and are <STRONG>with your parent or legal guardian </STRONG>you can...<UL><LI>Drink responsibly in a private home or at a private function - like a family BBQ or 21st<LI>Go into supervised area of bars and pubs (that's most bars - but to be sure - check the <A href="http://www.alac.org.nz/saleofliquoractcontent.aspx?PostingID=861" target=_blank>licence</A>)<LI>Drink in&nbsp;a public place - except where there is an alcohol ban</LI></UL>If you are under 18 (<STRONG>without your parent or guardian</STRONG>) you can't...<UL><LI>Drink in a public place<LI>Go into pubs and bars<LI>Buy booze or get an adult to buy you booze<LI>Carry a fake ID or use someone else's</LI></UL>A person who is less than 18 can only be supplied with alcohol by their <STRONG>parent or legal guardian</STRONG>. Things are being toughened up for underage drinkers and those who sell or supply them alcohol. <A href="http://www.alac.org.nz/saleofliquoractcontent.aspx?PostingID=865" target=_blank>Pena
If you are under 18 and are with your parent or legal guardian you can...
  • Drink responsibly in a private home or at a private function - like a family BBQ or 21st
  • Go into supervised area of bars and pubs (that's most bars - but to be sure - check the licence)
  • Drink in a public place - except where there is an alcohol ban
If you are under 18 (without your parent or guardian) you can't...
  • Drink in a public place
  • Go into pubs and bars
  • Buy booze or get an adult to buy you booze
  • Carry a fake ID or use someone else's
A person who is less than 18 can only be supplied with alcohol by their parent or legal guardian. Things are being toughened up for underage drinkers and those who sell or supply them alcohol. Penalties for breaking the law have increased.

Legal guardian (as defined by the Guardianship Act) means exactly that. It does not include other family members including grandparents, uncles and aunties or older brothers, sisters, spouses or partners. Neither does it include sports coaches or anyone else temporarily acting in the place of a parent.

See the frequently asked questions area of the Sale of Liquor Act section for additional information. 

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