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Source: Reuters -
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An alcohol action group is calling on the government to get tougher in the fight against New Zealand's heavy drinking culture.
Alcohol Action NZ says the solutions Justice Minister Simon Power talked about on TVNZ's Q+A programme do not go far enough.
The group says the problem can be tackled by raising the price of alcohol, reducing marketing and lowering the alcohol level for driving.
Alcohol Action NZ also disagree that heavy drinking is only a youth problem as research shows the majority of New Zealand's 700,000 heavy drinkers are over the age of 20.
Licensing hours targeted
Licensing hours will be a cornerstone of the government's liquor law reform, Power says.
Power says he has recently driven through Auckland early in the morning.
"What I saw on the streets of Auckland, on corner bars and the like, at half past four in the morning - no good can come of that," he says.
"No good can come of it for those people who are drinking."
Power also indicated there could be a change to laws covering providing underage people with liquor.
"One of the things that's been highlighted in the last month or two has been this issue of after-ball parties," he says.
"In particular, where another adult is providing an underage person with liquor at their home.
"Presently the law exempts that as being an office if the minor is attending a private social gathering, whether or not they have their parents' consent to consume liquor."
He says he was having "a hard look at that".
Power says the government's approach to liquor law reform will zero in on harm caused to young people.
"They key for the government is to get a legislative response together which zeroes in on where the harm is actually occurring and not to the detriment of those New Zealanders who are drinking in moderation."
The government is expected to announce its plans next
month.
