Get Prepared

To ensure that a person wishing to purchase alcohol is 18 years or over, a staff member will ask for evidence of age (or ID). 

Our regulations state that there are only three forms of evidence that are permitted - any of these below can be used as evidence of age:

  1. current passport
  2. current New Zealand drivers licence
  3. Hospitality New Zealand Card (Kiwi Access Card)

These documents must be genuine and not falsified in any way.  There are a range of offences relating to evidence of age documents - read here for more.

Police test the compliance of licensed premises with underage alcohol sales.

Police in your district may carry out a Controlled Purchase Operation. This is where they ask volunteers under the age of 18 to enter a licensed premises and attempt to purchase alcohol.

There are penalties if the premises sells to a minor. The licensee may be liable to either or both of the following:

  1. a fine of not more than $10,000:
  2. the suspension of the licensee’s licence for a period of not more than 7 days:

The manager may also be liable to a fine of not more than $10,000. For more information, click here.