New Zealand needs to overhaul laws governing the compulsory treatment of severe alcoholics and drug addicts, says the Law Commission.

Alcohol has become so affordable that it is cheaper than bottled water and approaching the price of milk, says a study made public today.

Authorities are investigating whether NZ should make it a criminal offence to impersonate others including politicians on the internet.

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.

Wellington coroner Ian Smith has called for a review of the Privacy Act in his findings on the suicide of a young university student two years ago.

Would-be liquor merchants are flooding NZ with applications for new bottle shops before an expected law tightening, a liquor chain says.

The Government is considering making it unlawful for adults to give alcohol to young people without their parents' consent.

NZers favour reducing the amount drivers can legally drink before getting behind the wheel, with 70 per cent supporting a limit of 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, a survey finds.

A Super 14 rugby star has been charged with a domestic violence incident involving a knife and given name suppression.

An opponent of raising the drinking age says if John Key was 18 right now, he would be unlikely to support it.

Drunks could be charged $250 for a night in police cells or a ride home in a police car.