LCQ Age Verification and Proof of Age 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum legal age to purchase alcohol in New Zealand?
- 16 years
- 17 years
- 18 years (Correct answer)
- 20 years
Correct answer: 18 years
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 sets the minimum purchase age at 18 years for all alcohol purchases in New Zealand.
Question 2: Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, what specific term is used to describe a person under 18 years of age?
- Minor
- Juvenile
- Young person (Correct answer)
- Youth
Correct answer: Young person
The Act specifically uses the statutory term 'young person' to refer to anyone under 18 years of age throughout its provisions.
Question 3: Which of the following is an acceptable form of proof of age for purchasing alcohol at a licensed premises in New Zealand?
- A birth certificate
- A student ID card
- A current New Zealand driver licence (Correct answer)
- A utility bill with photo
Correct answer: A current New Zealand driver licence
A current New Zealand driver licence is one of the approved forms of identification for verifying age when purchasing alcohol under the Act.
Question 4: What is the 18+ card used at New Zealand licensed premises?
- A Hospitality NZ loyalty card for regular customers
- A card issued by HANZ as an approved proof-of-age document (Correct answer)
- A government card for non-drivers who cannot obtain a licence
- A club membership card for adults only
Correct answer: A card issued by HANZ as an approved proof-of-age document
The 18+ card is a proof-of-age card approved by the Hospitality and Alcohol New Zealand Standards (HANZ) specifically for age verification at licensed premises.
Question 5: A customer appears to be in their early twenties but cannot produce acceptable ID. What should a licensee do?
- Serve them since they look well over 18
- Accept any form of ID including a credit card
- Refuse service if they cannot produce acceptable ID (Correct answer)
- Call the police before making a decision
Correct answer: Refuse service if they cannot produce acceptable ID
If a customer cannot produce an acceptable form of ID when requested, the licensee must refuse service, as the legal obligation to verify age rests with the licensee.
Question 6: Under a 'Think 25' age verification policy at a licensed premises, what does staff training require?
- Check ID for all customers regardless of their age
- Request ID from anyone who appears to be under 25 years old (Correct answer)
- Only check ID after 10pm when younger patrons are more likely to attend
- Ask 25 verification questions before serving any customer
Correct answer: Request ID from anyone who appears to be under 25 years old
A 'Think 25' policy instructs staff to proactively request ID from anyone who appears to be under 25, providing a safety buffer above the legal purchase age of 18.
Question 7: A licensee sells alcohol to a person under 18. What is the primary consequence under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012?
- A verbal warning from the District Licensing Committee
- Criminal liability and potential licence suspension or cancellation (Correct answer)
- An infringement notice only, similar to a parking fine
- Referral to the New Zealand Police for investigation with no licence implications
Correct answer: Criminal liability and potential licence suspension or cancellation
Selling alcohol to a person under 18 is a criminal offence under the Act and can result in criminal liability alongside licence-related action such as suspension or cancellation.
LCQ Age Verification and Proof of Age 1
What is the minimum legal age to purchase alcohol in New Zealand?