Drugs and alcohol

Tobacco smoking

In New Zealand, alcohol and tobacco smoking are legal but regulated; you have to be 18 years of age or over to purchase either tobacco or alcohol, and there are rules about where and when you can drink alcohol or smoke.

It is illegal to smoke inside any clubs, bars, restaurants, theatres, public buildings or on public transport.

Smoking is permitted is some places outdoors.

Smoking is becoming increasingly unpopular with New Zealanders and many people find it offensive. If you smoke in public areas, try and smoke in areas where your cigarette smoke will not bother other people.

Alcohol

It is illegal to drink alcohol and drive.

In some cities it is illegal to drink alcohol in public places, such as in the streets or parks, and many cities and towns enforce alcohol bans over the New Year period when lots of people go out to celebrate.

Alcohol is sold in liquor stores and licensed beer and wine stores. Most supermarkets and some convenience stores also sell beer and wine.

It is illegal to buy alcohol if you are under 18 years of age and it is also illegal to supply alcohol to anyone who is under 18.

Although alcohol is widely consumed at social events in New Zealand, it is just as acceptable and quite normal not to drink alcohol at all.
 
For more information about alcohol use in New Zealand, go to the Alcohol Advisory Council website at www.alcohol.org.nz.

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18 plus card

The minimum legal drinking age in New Zealand is 18 years. If young people wish to purchase alcohol or access licensed premises they need to provide photographic proof of age.

The acceptable forms of ID are a New Zealand or overseas passport, a photographic New Zealand driver licence or a HANZ 18+ card.

You can get an application form for an 18+ card from www.hanz.org.nz or pick one up at a New Zealand Post Shop.

The card will cost you NZ$20. You will need to fill out a statutory declaration and provide certain documents to prove you are over 18 years of age and that you are who you say you are.

Drugs

Illegal drugs include such things as marijuana, “magic mushrooms”, LSD, ecstasy, methamphetamines, cocaine and heroin.

Possession of any of these drugs is against the law and carries a penalty that may include imprisonment.

Ecstasy or “e” comes as a capsule with brownish powder inside or as a pill, usually imprinted with a symbol like a heart or a happy face. You should refuse these drugs if they are offered to you. There are considerable risks in consuming them and they are illegal.

For more information about drugs, go to the New Zealand Drug Foundation website at www.nzdf.org.nz.

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Alcohol and drug help lines

There are a number of places to go to for assistance if you or someone you know needs help or advice with regard to issues relating to alcohol or drugs.

Contact Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797 (10am to 10pm, seven days a week) or go to their website at www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz.

Another source of help or information is your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). The Citizens Advice Bureau will refer you to a service that can assist you for matters relating to drugs or alcohol.

Your local CAB office is in the phone book or you can call them on their free phone number 0800 367 222.  You can also visit the CAB website at www.cab.org.nz.

Some Citizens Advice Bureaus have interpreters to help non-English speakers.