Alcohol | Drinking in Public

Over 18's Drinking in public places is legal unless there is an alcohol ban in place. Alcohol bans are becoming increasing popular in New Zealand. Towns and cities around the country are introducing them in an attempt to reduce alcohol-related crime, violence and public disorder in public places. An alcohol ban is a prohibition on possession or consumption liquor for specific days, hours and public locations.  These are set by local councils – usually as a by-law.  For example, in Cuba Street Wellington during the Cuba Street Carnival, or as in some areas between 6pm and 6am Friday, Saturday and Sunday all year on named streets. In some areas liquor bans are used only for specific events – e.g., New Year’s Eve. A liquor ban gives police power to search a person for alcohol, seize any found and destroy or confiscate it.  They are just one tool available to police to assist them to deal with alcohol related crime

Over 18's

Drinking in public places is legal unless there is an alcohol ban in place. Alcohol bans are becoming increasing popular in New Zealand. Towns and cities around the country are introducing them in an attempt to reduce alcohol-related crime, violence and public disorder in public places.

An alcohol ban is a prohibition on possession or consumption liquor for specific days, hours and public locations. These are set by local councils – usually as a by-law.

For example, in Cuba Street Wellington during the Cuba Street Carnival, or as in some areas between 6pm and 6am Friday, Saturday and Sunday all year on named streets.

In some areas liquor bans are used only for specific events – e.g., New Year’s Eve.

A liquor ban gives police power to search a person for alcohol, seize any found and destroy or confiscate it. They are just one tool available to police to assist them to deal with alcohol related crime and disorder.

The bans aim to address local authorities' concerns about public drinking in particular problem areas, such as:

town centres
shopping centre car parks
beaches

Anyone knowingly disobeying the ban can be fined, although the police must first warn people who are in breach and give them an opportunity to leave the area or to cease drinking and/or carrying alcohol by tipping it out.

For more detail go to the Alcohol Bans section.

Under 18's

Even if there is no alcohol ban in place, under the Summary Offences Act it is illegal for anyone under 18 years of age to consume or possess alcohol in a public place unless their parent or legal guardian accompanies them.

If they break this law they may have to pay an infringement fee of $200 or a fine of up to $300. The police can also confiscate the alcohol. It is legal for parents or guardians to allow teenagers to drink at home or at other private gatherings.