The minimum age for purchasing alcohol in New Zealand is 18 years. It was lowered from 20 years to 18 years on 1 April 2000.
It's an offence for licensed premises to sell or supply liquor to a minor. Refer to the tables below for more information.
Evidence of Age
Licensees and managers are responsible for ensuring their customers are of legal drinking age.
If there is any doubt, the licensed premises should seek proof of age from a valid photographic identification. There are only three types of valid identifications:
- a passport
- a driver's licence (issued under the Land Transport Act 1998)
- a HANZ 18+ card
Minors on Licensed Premises
| Undesignated | Supervised Area | Restricted Area | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 accompanied by parent or legal guardian | Yes | Yes | No |
| Under 18 unaccompanied | Yes | No | No |
Minors Working at Licensed Premises
| Undesignated | Supervised Area | Restricted Area | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar / serving liquor | Yes | Yes | No |
| Entertainment | Yes | Yes - if accompanied | No |
| Serving Food / cleaning, stocktaking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Related Links
- Liquor Control Bylaw
- Liquor Licensing Policy
- HANZ 18+ card - HANZ website
- Sale of Liquor Act 1989 - New Zealand Legislation website
Department Details:
Building Consents & Licensing Services
