The drinking age should be raised to 21.

New Zealand's drinking age should not be raised from the age of eighteen to the age of twenty-one. In New Zealand, eighteen year-olds can join the army and vote in new Zealand's democratic election, meaning they are willing and able to make the right decisions for themselves. By increasing the drinking age by three years, the law is forcing more underage drinking upon the society, as the eighteen, nineteen and twenty year-olds who would no longer be able to buy alcohol would still consume it. Moreover, by heightening the drinking age, many bars, clubs and other social events and meeting places will lose a great quantity of customers and profits. However, i do recognise that binge drinking is a substantial part of the New Zealand teenage culture and by raising the drinking age, it may be helping towards reducing this. 

By raising the drinking age, the law could be seen as challenging previous age restricting rules that have been enforced, which enable eighteen year-olds and over  opportunity and responsibility. In New Zealand, citizens of the age eighteen and over are entitled to vote in the election and join the army. If the current law is giving eighteen year-olds the responsibility to have a say in their countries future, surely they should be permitted to make simple decisions such as whether or not they are ready to or want to consume alcohol. 

One of the main motives to raise the drinking age from the age of eighteen to the age of twenty-one, is to reduce teenagers consumption of alcohol in a bid to try and lessen the dangerous activities on the streets of New Zealand. However, teenagers from the age of thirteen to seventeen are already restricted from buying alcohol so by enforcing this new law, it will make no difference to the consumption of the teenagers alcohol. Also, by raising the drinking age, eighteen, nineteen and twenty year-olds will still want to drink alcohol, as the law will not prevent this, so this is further encouraging underage drinking.  

By increasing the drinking age by three years, social meeting places like bars and clubs who rely on alcoholic beverages for a vast majority of their profits, will lose an immense amount of business. This is because many of them aim at younger age groups (approximately eighteen - twenty-five year-olds), and if the drinking age is raised to twenty-one, almost half of that age group would not be able to attend these events so the businesses will lose almost half of their customers. 

However, i do recognise that New Zealand is notorious for a well-established binge drinking culture, particularly with teenagers. Binge drinking is drinking excessively in a short period of time. I do agree that binge drinking is unhealthy for anyone but specifically growing minds and bodies, and can result in dangerous circumstances, so doing all the law can to prevent these habits is reassuring and would be appreciated. 

New Zealand's drinking age should not be raised to the age of twenty-one. Eighteen year-olds currently have the right to vote and join the army in New Zealand so should be able to carry the responsibilities associated with alcohol. By increasing the drinking age, underage drinking rates will also be raised which seems to defeat part of the purpose and numerous businesses will lose many customers if the drinking age is raised because eighteen - twenty year-olds will no longer be able to attend these places. However, I do acknowledge that binge drinking is very popular in New Zealand and any efforts to try and prevent it will not go by unappreciated.