Over the summer, young people will be keen to celebrate the end of the school year and enjoy the long holidays.

It’s timely to remind you that it’s a criminal offence to supply alcohol to anyone under 18 years old without the ‘express consent’ of their parent or their legal guardian. Express consent can come from a conversation, an email or text. (Express consent isn’t required if the young person is married, in a civil union or living with a de facto partner.)

Earlier this year a Christchurch woman appeared in the District Court and was fined $2,400 for supplying alcohol to six teenagers at her daughter’s 14th birthday party.

The courts have sent a clear message to those supplying alcohol to minors; such offending is unacceptable. If you’re hosting a party for your teenager, you should speak to other parents first. Even a casual barbecue with a couple of beers could result in a conviction if another parent was to report anything to police.