Te Whatu Ora medical officer of health Michael Butchard said NZ's alcohol consumption needs to reduce drastically.

Alcohol consumption 'way too high' in NZ - health expert

Alcohol harm costs the economy $9.1 billion a year, and is linked to more than 200 medical conditions.

Fri, Jan 30

Red Frogs runs education programmes and outreaches at events popular with young people.

Funding challenge for charity keeping revellers safe at events

Red Frogs looked after more than 300 people across six locations over the New Year's period.

Tue, Jan 13

Police arrested four people following a shoplifting incident at a liquor store in Sunnynook last night.

Alleged thieves flee on bus after Auckland liquor store robbery

Three offenders allegedly entered the store in Auckland's Sunnynook shortly before 9pm, with two people stealing boxes of alcohol.

Fri, Jan 9

England's Harry Brook reacts after he was dismissed during play on day four of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney.

Harry Brook apologises for NZ nightclub incident before Ashes

Brook, the England white-ball captain, was hit by a bouncer after being denied entry to the club in Wellington on October 31.

Fri, Jan 9

A van carrying liquor rolled on Riverside Dr in Whangārei this morning.

Beers, RTDs scattered across Whangārei road after liquor van rolls

Among the brands scattered across the asphalt were Lion Red, Speight’s Summit Ultra, Heineken, Steinlager, and Hyoketsu.

December 24, 2025

Simon Court's members' bill would remove some trusts' exclusive rights over certain alcohol licenses.

ACT MP challenges liquor licensing trusts - but is there demand?

Simon Court's members' bill would remove some trusts' exclusive rights over certain alcohol licenses.

November 30, 2025

October 2025
The proposed location of the new liquor store on Hinemoa St.

New liquor store for Rotorua CBD halted after more than 700 objections

Senior Sergeant Samuel Parata said police evidence suggested the liquor store would worsen harm in an already high-risk, high-deprivation area.

October 16, 2025

A breath test being conducted at a police stop.

Woman charged with driving 3.5 times over alcohol limit after school dropoff

"She was oblivious to her offence and even said she had dropped her children off at school that morning," police said.

October 7, 2025

September 2025
Parāoa Brewing Co, at Whangapāraoa has lost its right to sell alcohol to customers. (Source: Google Maps)

Auckland gastropub denied liquor licences over noise complaints

Residents Richard and Vivan Field strongly opposed the renewals, saying the noise had contributed to stress, sleep disruption and anxiety.

September 29, 2025

Manurewa residents protested outside the shop last month.

'For the sake of our rangatahi': Auckland community fights new bottle shop

Manurewa residents faced the licensing committee this week, speaking on the the effect it would have on school children and the neighbourhood.

September 19, 2025

Public Health Communication Centre (PHCC) fears the inaccurate reporting of suppliers impacts the country's response to alcohol harm.

'Data is too poor': More alcohol suppliers than national figures suggest

The number of alcohol suppliers across the country is underreported, health advocacy group PHCC warns, and this impacts the country's response to alcohol harm.

September 6, 2025

August 2025
Vape and liquor stores pair up in Auckland despite opposition

Vape and liquor stores pair up in Auckland despite opposition

Vape stores setting up inside booze shops "only exacerbates the harm from both", say opponents, but the vaping industry says liquor store age restrictions would likely limit exposure to young people.

August 26, 2025

It normally takes up to a week to brew the alcoholic beverage.  

White noise speeds up beer fermentation by over a day – research

Playing white noise to beer has been shown to speed up fermentation by up to 20%, according to new research.

August 18, 2025

Wine on supermarket shelves.

'Genuinely shocked': Sixteen businesses stung selling booze to minors

"I’m extremely disappointed with the level of non-compliance," Sergeant Greg Weston said.

August 12, 2025

Police said the result of the sting was "concerning".

Six out of eight businesses fail Taranaki underage booze sting

Police used two volunteers under the age of 18 who visited eight businesses in the area and attempted to buy alcohol.

August 6, 2025

July 2025
Journalist and mental health coach Paulette Crowley (Composite image: Vania Chandrawidjaja)

Sorry booze, one of us had to lose: how I finally defeated my alcoholism

I was a successful journalist, a mum and an alcoholic – the last one threatened to destroy everything else.

July 27, 2025

Claire Turnbull (Composite image: Vania Chandrawidjaja)

How many calories are in beer, wine and their alcohol-free alternatives?

Claire Turnbull pours the drinks and does the maths.

July 20, 2025

Approximately 170 distillers are in operation, a 530% increase on seven years ago.

Local distilleries vie for top prize as NZ Spirit Awards kick off

Nearly 600 spirits are being judged by more than 20 industry experts, with entries coming from 170 distilleries — a 530% increase from the 27 operating in 2018.

July 17, 2025

June 2025
Broken bottles on a footpath.

'Drinking, urinating': Majority back extending Gisborne alcohol ban

The council has proposed an extension to the existing alcohol ban area and to create a new ban in the Kaiti area.

June 14, 2025

Liquor store stock photo

Some Auckland bottle shops caught selling alcohol to minors

Eleven bottle shops and stores across Auckland have been caught selling booze to under-18s in the past year.

June 4, 2025

May 2025
The woman, aged in her 70s, was found in the pool by her husband the morning.

Christchurch woman drowned in spa pool after night of drinking

The woman, aged in her 70s, was found in the pool by her husband the morning after the party in 2021.

May 30, 2025

April 2025
The site is the old Black Bull Liquor Manurewa, which failed to reestablish a licence twice.

Fresh push for new bottle store in 'worst' location

A third attempt to set up a bottle shop near three schools in south Auckland is being strongly opposed by the community and advocacy groups.

April 29, 2025

A beer being poured at a bar (stock image).

Tauranga pub and attached bottle store stripped of liquor licences

The Welcome Bay Sports Bar and Grill and the Welcome Bay Super Liquor bottle store attached to the bar will no longer be able to sell alcohol following a recent hearing at the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA).

April 8, 2025

February 2025
Beer stein on table.

Gisborne locals to have say on alcohol rules in the CBD

Gisborne residents can choose between excluding the CBD from the sensitive sites restriction or keeping the current policy.

March 1, 2025

January 2025
December 9 last year, all off-licence alcohol outlets in Auckland were expected to stop trading from 9pm, every day.

Auckland’s new alcohol rules: No fines served up in first month

All off-licence alcohol outlets in the Super City have been ordered to stop trading from 9pm.

January 18, 2025