Alcohol causes more than one in 20 deaths of New Zealanders aged under 80, new University of Otago research suggests.

Major alcohol reforms have been passed in Parliament this evening, concluding a four-year debate over drinking laws in New Zealand.

A project designed to encourage New Zealanders to drink responsibly has been launched, but has been met with suspicion by alcohol health advocates.

Children as young as nine are among hundreds under 16 being treated by specialist clinics for alcoholics and drug addicts in greater Auckland. One-hundred and ninety were treated last year, and that's the tip of the iceberg.

Alcohol Healthwatch has told the Government it is supporting "legalised drunk driving" by delaying moves to lower the drink driving limit.

A shock Herald test saw a member of staff able to down nine beers before hitting the legal drink drive limit.

A decision on lowering the drink-drive limit should go to a select committee so the public can have a say, Labour leader Phil Goff says.

The Govt's decision to shelve plans to lower the drink-driving limit for adults and instead do more research has been attacked as gutless.

More women are drinking because of stressful lives, according to a new study.

A small community is reeling from the death of a popular teacher and new father mown down by a 70-year-old allegedly "blotto" from drink.