When Buying Alcohol in New Zealand Turns Into an ID Check!

Buying a bottle of wine or a few drinks for the weekend sounds like a simple supermarket trip. But for some people in New Zealand, even purchasing alcohol can turn into an unexpectedly embarrassing experience, especially when it comes to showing identification.

Pradeep recently shared his experience with Ketan, host of the Lunch Box Show. He explained that he had visited a supermarket in St Lukes with his 31-year-old flatmate to buy groceries and a few drinks for the weekend. Despite being 33 years old, having a full beard and a visible receding hairline, the cashier asked both of them to show ID.

Pradeep presented his valid overseas driver licence, but it was not accepted. The cashier explained that only an approved physical New Zealand driver licence, Kiwi Access Card or original physical passport could be used as identification. To make matters worse, his flatmate didn't have his wallet with him, and the supermarket refused to sell them the alcohol.

Pradeep said the whole experience left him feeling embarrassed, especially with other shoppers around. He compared it to buying alcohol back home in Suva or Delhi, where a visit to the local bottle shop is usually a much quicker and more straightforward experience.

Responding to Pradeep's message on the Lunch Box Show, Ketan said the situation would be quite frustrating for many people who have been living in New Zealand for years. He pointed out that while checking identification is part of responsible alcohol sales, it can feel rather awkward when adults are treated like teenagers trying to buy alcohol for the first time!

Ketan also highlighted that New Zealand has strict rules around alcohol sales, particularly when it comes to checking the age of people purchasing alcohol and preventing supply to minors. He suggested that people who regularly buy alcohol should consider getting a Kiwi Access Card, so they don't have to carry their passports everywhere.

Of course, supermarkets and bottle shops have a responsibility to follow New Zealand's alcohol laws, and staff must be careful when they are unsure about someone's age or identification. But experiences like Pradeep's raise an interesting question about how these rules are applied in everyday situations.