Auckland mayor John Banks' son was among a group of young people who "egged on" schoolmate James Webster to keep drinking.

Only drinkers aged 20 and older will be able to buy alcohol at bottle stores, dairies and supermarkets after MPs vote, a poll suggests.

The number of NZ recidivist drink-drivers has risen steadily over the past three years, with more than 4000 prosecuted already this year.

An 80-year-old returned serviceman who sold home-made alcohol from his garage in Hastings was today fined $1200 and placed under community supervision.

An Australian expert says NZ alcohol reforms don't go far enough to curbing the binge drinking culture of both nations - but it's a start.

There has been mixed reaction to the Government's proposed changes to liquor laws, but most Herald readers say more needs to be done.

Dairy owners say they should have the same rights as supermarkets when it comes to selling alcohol.

Under-18s wanting to drink at a private party will need their parents' permission and the host will need to police the level of drunkenness.

A raft of proposed changes to liquor laws are aiming to reduce harm to young people while leaving "responsible NZers" free to make their own decisions about the way they drink.

An alcohol watchdog says a raft of liquor law changes don't go far enough in curbing NZ's crisis with alcohol.

We bring you the latest developments on the alcohol law reform package the Government has adopted.

People will not be allowed to supply other people's kids with alcohol in a private home without consent under liquor law changes to be announced today.

Read what others think about the Govt's liquor law reforms and tell us what you think.

A raise in the drinking age would be ineffective and counterproductive, and discriminate unfairly against young people.