A Minimum unit pricing (MUP) policy can be used to increase the price of alcohol of the cheapest alcohol products in New Zealand. A MUP sets the minimum/lowest/floor price at which a standard drink of alcohol can be sold.

For example, if a minimum unit price of $1.40 per standard drink was implemented, it would mean that: 

• a twelve pack of (7%ABV) RTDs (containing 21.9 standard drinks) could not be sold below $30.62 (compared with a current price of $24.99),
• a bottle of wine (containing 8 standard drinks) could not be sold below $11.18 (compared with a current price of $6.79).

Although a minimum unit price per standard drink would apply equally to on- and off-licences, price increases would generally be seen at off-licences. This is where the majority of cheap alcohol is sold.

There are significant cost savings estimated from implementing Minimum Unit Pricing, although not as great as savings arising from excise tax increases.

A MUP policy can only address the cheapest products. Therefore, it has the biggest effect on harmful drinkers who prefer the cheap products. To reduce consumption across the whole of New Zealand, we also need to increase excise taxes.

In 2014, the Ministry of Justice investigated a MUP policy. At the time a decision was made to wait five years, until 2019, when this matter would be looked at again. It was envisaged that this was sufficient time to examine the progress of the new Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.