Schools are standing down more students for alcohol. Ministry of Education figures released under the Official Information Act show 452 alcohol stand-downs in the year to 31 March 2026, up from 402 the year before, and alcohol suspensions rose from 21 to 50.
Secondary schools made 400 of those 452 stand-downs, and 198 involved Year 9 and 10 students. The Ministry counts cases rather than students, and it notes that stand-downs and suspensions measure a school’s reaction, not student behaviour.
The Ministry of Social Development’s Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025 asked about 9,400 secondary students aged 13 to 19, and 40.9% said they had drunk alcohol. Of those, 23.7% drank at least once a week, and among drinkers who hadn’t stopped, 34.4% had tried to cut down or give up.
In the 2019 Youth19 survey, parents were the most common source of alcohol for drinkers under 18, named by 62%. Friends came next at 39%, and 8% bought it themselves.
Under section 241 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, supplying alcohol to a minor is an offence with a fine of up to $2,000. A parent or guardian has a defence if they supply it in a responsible manner, and so does another adult who believes on reasonable grounds they have the parent’s express consent. KidsHealth, the Paediatric Society’s site supported by Health New Zealand, says not drinking is the safest option for anyone under 18.
What the guidelines ask of schools
The Ministry’s stand-down guidelines, updated in 2026, don’t mention alcohol by name. They call stand-downs, suspensions, exclusions and expulsions actions of last resort, and say a student should already have received appropriate guidance and counselling or other pastoral support before one is used.
During a stand-down, the school must take all reasonable steps to make sure the student gets guidance and counselling. The guidelines also quote a court judgment on student behaviour. “A child who behaves destructively or irrationally might be calling for help.”
NZ Police’s school portal says every school should have clear procedures for when students or staff are affected by alcohol and other drugs. That includes a clear consequences, discipline and referral process.
Where to refer students and whānau
The Alcohol Drug Helpline takes calls on 0800 787 797, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and students can text 8681. Callers speak to a trained counsellor, and the Government-funded service is run by Whakarongorau Aotearoa.
Youthline runs a 24/7 helpline on 0800 376 633, or free text 234, and Need to Talk? takes calls and texts on 1737.
In Auckland, Health New Zealand’s community alcohol and drug service runs Altered High, a youth team for 13 to 19 year olds across the region. It takes referrals from young people and their whānau, but it won’t accept a referral the young person doesn’t know about, so the conversation with the student comes first.
Families dealing with a teenager’s drinking can find information and support through Kina Trust, which works with whānau of people who use alcohol and other drugs.
