Buying and drinking alcohol in New Zealand

New Zealand Police and local councilsVerified 14 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

In New Zealand you must be 18 or older to buy alcohol. When you buy alcohol or go into a bar, you may need to show an approved evidence of age document, such as a passport, a New Zealand driver licence or a Kiwi Access card. There are strict limits on giving alcohol to anyone under 18. Many parks and streets have alcohol bans, and you can be fined for drinking or carrying alcohol there. If you have been drinking, do not drive. These rules come from the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

Key facts

Legal age to buy alcohol: 18¹
Approved evidence of age documents: A current passport (from any country), a current New Zealand driver licence, an age card issued by Hospitality New Zealand with your photo and date of birth, or an accredited digital identity credential. Expired documents are not accepted.²
Buying alcohol while under 18, or showing a false ID: NZ$250 fine for each (infringement fee)¹
Drinking in a public place while under 18 without a parent or guardian: NZ$200 fine¹
Breaking a local alcohol ban (Local Alcohol Ban): NZ$250 fine¹
Supplying alcohol to a minor (17 or younger): This is illegal. If convicted, the maximum fine is NZ$2,000. It can be a defence if you are the parent or guardian, or have the parent's or guardian's express consent, and you supply the alcohol responsibly.³
What supermarkets and grocery stores can sell: Only beer, wine, cider or mead with no more than 15% alcohol. They cannot sell spirits.³
Default maximum selling hours for bottle stores and supermarkets: 7am to 11pm every day (a local alcohol policy or licence conditions may set shorter hours)³
Days when bottle stores and supermarkets cannot sell alcohol: All day on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day, and before 1pm on Anzac Day³
Drink-driving limits: Aged 20 and over: 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, or 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. Under 20: zero limit.⁵

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

Anyone aged 18 or over who wants to buy alcohol or go to a bar in New Zealand, including tourists and international students
Parents with children under 18
Anyone hosting a party at home or elsewhere where people under 18 may attend
Anyone who wants to drink in a park, on the beach or in the street

How do I do it? Steps and process

Carry an approved evidence of age document
When you buy alcohol or enter a bar, staff can ask you to show proof of age. Approved documents are: a current passport from any country, a current New Zealand driver licence, an age card from Hospitality New Zealand (the Police website lists the Hospitality New Zealand 18+ card or the Kiwi Access card), or an accredited digital identity credential. Overseas driver licences are not on the list, so it is best to carry your passport when buying alcohol.
Know where and when you can buy alcohol
Supermarkets and grocery stores only sell beer, wine, cider and mead with no more than 15% alcohol. For spirits, go to a bottle store. By default, bottle stores and supermarkets can sell alcohol until 11pm at the latest. They cannot sell alcohol all day on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day, or before 1pm on Anzac Day.
Check for alcohol bans before drinking outdoors
Many councils have alcohol bans in public places such as parks and streets. In Auckland, for example, some bans apply 24 hours a day, and some apply only at night or during daylight saving. There may also be temporary bans during large events. While a ban is in force, you cannot drink, bring or have alcohol in that area. This applies even if you are sitting in a car. Check your local council's map or the signs in the area for exact locations and times.
Be very careful about giving alcohol to anyone under 18
It is illegal to supply alcohol to anyone under 18, unless you are their parent or legal guardian, or you have the express consent of their parent or guardian, and you supply it responsibly. The court will look at: whether the young person was supervised, whether food was provided, whether non-alcoholic or low-alcohol drinks were available, the type of occasion, whether safe transport home was arranged, how long the drinking went on, the strength and amount of alcohol, and the young person's age.
If you drink, don't drive
Drivers under 20 cannot drink any alcohol before driving. Drivers aged 20 and over must not exceed 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. How much it takes to reach the limit is different for each person. Police advice is: if you have had any alcohol, don't drive. Plan ahead and use a taxi, a rideshare app, public transport or a driver who has not been drinking.

What documents do I need?

A current passport, a New Zealand driver licence or a Kiwi Access card (for buying alcohol or entering a bar)

What should I watch out for?

If you are under 18 and with your parent or legal guardian: you can drink alcohol given to you by your parent or guardian in a supervised area where food is served (for example, a restaurant or family lounge bar). But you cannot enter a restricted area, and you cannot buy alcohol in a supervised area.
A "legal guardian" means a guardian appointed by a court. It does not include grandparents, uncles, aunts, older brothers or sisters, a spouse or partner, or temporary carers such as sports coaches.
If you are under 18 and not with your parent or guardian: you cannot drink in a public place, enter a bar, buy alcohol yourself or ask an adult to buy it for you, or carry a fake ID or use someone else's ID.
Licensed premises cannot sell alcohol to someone who is already intoxicated.
Exceptions to alcohol bans: licensed premises (for example, an outdoor event with a special licence, or a restaurant's footpath seating with a BYO licence), and in some cases carrying unopened alcohol (for example, taking it home from the supermarket).
Police enforce alcohol bans. They can give you a fine on the spot, arrest you and then fine you, or post a fine to you later.
If a roadside breath test shows more than 250 micrograms per litre, you must take a second test (an evidential breath test). If you are confirmed over the limit, you will usually be forbidden to drive for 12 hours.
This page only summarises public information and is not legal advice. The law itself and your local council's rules are what apply.

What has changed recently?

2026-05-28
Digital credentials issued by an accredited digital identity service, showing your photo and your age or date of birth, have been added to the list of approved evidence of age documents.Source: legislation.govt.nz ↗
2026-04-03
Bars, restaurants and other premises with an on-licence can now also open during their normal permitted hours on Anzac Day morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. Bottle stores and supermarkets (off-licences) still cannot sell alcohol on these days (except, for example, wineries selling wine they make on site).Source: legislation.govt.nz ↗

Common questions

What is the legal drinking age in New Zealand, and what ID do I need to buy alcohol?

You must be 18 or older to buy alcohol in New Zealand. Staff can ask for an approved evidence of age document. This can be a current passport from any country, a current New Zealand driver licence, a Hospitality New Zealand 18+ card, a Kiwi Access card, or an accredited digital identity credential. Expired documents are not accepted.

Can I use my Indian driving licence or another overseas licence as ID to buy alcohol in NZ?

No. Overseas driver licences are not on the list of approved evidence of age documents. It is best to carry your passport when you buy alcohol or go into a bar. A current passport from any country is accepted.

Can I give my 16-year-old a small drink at a family party at home?

Yes, it can be legal if you are the parent or legal guardian and you supply the alcohol responsibly. A court would look at things like supervision, food, non-alcoholic drinks, the type of occasion, safe transport home, how long the drinking went on, the strength and amount of alcohol, and the young person's age. If convicted, the maximum fine is NZ$2,000.

I am over 18. Can I buy alcohol for a friend who is under 18?

No. It is illegal to supply alcohol to anyone under 18. The only exception is if you are their parent or legal guardian, or you have the express consent of their parent or guardian, and you supply it responsibly. If convicted, the maximum fine is NZ$2,000.

Can I drink beer in a park or on the beach in New Zealand?

It depends on where you are. Many councils have alcohol bans in public places such as parks and streets. While a ban is in force, you cannot drink, bring or have alcohol there, even in a car. The fine is NZ$250. Check your local council's map or the signs in the area.

Why can't I buy whisky or vodka at the supermarket in NZ?

Supermarkets and grocery stores are not allowed to sell spirits. They can only sell beer, wine, cider or mead with no more than 15% alcohol. To buy whisky, vodka or other spirits, go to a bottle store.

Can I buy alcohol on Christmas Day or at Easter in New Zealand?

Not from bottle stores or supermarkets on Christmas Day, Good Friday or Easter Sunday. They cannot sell alcohol all day on those days, or before 1pm on Anzac Day. Bars, restaurants and other premises with an on-licence can open during their normal permitted hours on these days.

Can I drive after one drink in New Zealand?

Police advice is: if you have had any alcohol, don't drive. Drivers under 20 have a zero limit. Drivers aged 20 and over must not exceed 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, or 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. How much it takes to reach the limit is different for each person. Plan a taxi, rideshare, public transport or a sober driver.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

Alcohol laws and penaltiesNew Zealand Police · police.govt.nz
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Regulations 2013Parliamentary Counsel Office (legislation.govt.nz) · legislation.govt.nz
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012Parliamentary Counsel Office (legislation.govt.nz) · legislation.govt.nz
Alcohol bans and alcohol ban mapsAuckland Council · aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Being safe on the road – rules and reasonsNew Zealand Police · police.govt.nz

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