Alcohol and Tobacco
Coffee and Tea
Both coffee and tea are highly regarded by many Kiwis.
Tea has been a staple of New Zealand life since its arrival with our early settlers in the late eighteenth century. An excellent summary of its place in our society is available from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage website
After a very slow start, coffee has recently become an important feature of many Kiwi lives. ‘Café Culture’ has grown from a combination of returning travellers with European tastes for lattes and espresso, a growing interest ‘al fresco’ dining using the country’s excellent ingredients, and the rise of mobile computing helping many enterprising people to base part of their day at the nearest café.
Many NZ cafés now pride themselves on supplying the best made coffee in the world.
A great summary of this aspect of NZ life is here in the daily grind.
Alcohol
Wine and beer are available from most supermarkets seven days a week, and wine, beer and spirits at specialist outlets (‘bottlestores’). Anyone aged 18 years or over can go into ‘licensed premises’ such as hotels, pubs, restaurants, clubs, bottle stores, supermarkets, cafes, bars and nightclubs and buy and drink alcohol.
Alcohol and the law
You may be asked for proof of your age. You can use:
- a New Zealand photo driver licence
- a New Zealand or overseas passport, or
- an ‘evidence of age’ document from the Hospitality Association of New Zealand (available at any New Zealand Post Shop for $20).
People who are under 18 can be given alcohol by their parent or legal guardian, either at home, in a licensed liquor outlet or at a private social gathering. It is illegal for people under 18 to drink in a public place.
There are very strict rules around drinking and driving.
A history of New Zealand’s relationship with alcohol is also provided by the Ministry for Culture and heritage
Tobacco and Smoking
New Zealand has comprehensive restrictions on smoking.
Smoking is prohibited in most public areas including shopping malls, public transport, pubs, bars and restaurants.
All workplaces are smoke free.
All advertising of tobacco products is also prohibited, and further laws to restrict the display of tobacco in retailers is under consideration.
Hemp and Marijuana
New Zealand also has historical and current links with hemp or marijuana. Along with the hops grown for beer, and tobacco, hemp has also been cultivated for profit - as explained in the article ‘Hops, Tobacco and Hemp’ in the new Zealand government’s online encyclopaedia, Te Ara
