Alcohol home delivery services in Auckland are a concern and will increase excessive drinking, the head of Alcohol Healthwatch says.
Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Several companies sell drinks online and drop them off at the purchaser's door soon after.
A Wellington website offering the same service was last year pulled down after a backlash from medical authorities.
Alcohol Healthwatch executive director Nicki Jackson said the sites would become more common as technology advanced.
"They're saying they're providing a service to people so they don't have to get in their cars and drink drive.
"But, at the end of the day, this is a ready supply of alcohol to people who are having parties, for example, and it means the risk of excessive drinking is increased."
Ms Jackson said there was concern that minors could access the websites and questioned whether people's age or intoxication levels would be checked when the drinks were delivered.
But the company has defended its service, saying it was set up to promote safe drinking.
Development manager Tejas Dalvi said they spoke with the Auckland Council and the police before starting up.
He said they set up the service to give people an alternative and a way to stop drink driving.
Mr Dalvi said delivery staff were trained in alcohol management and will not deliver if someone can not prove their age or was too intoxicated.
