Simon Power

Wellington, June 5 NZPA - Licensing hours will be a cornerstone of the Government's liquor law reform, Justice Minister Simon Power says.

Ministers are considering a range of changes in response to the Law Commission's report on liquor law and Mr Power yesterday gave some indications of the legislation that will be prepared.

"There is quite a bit of work to be done around the licensing hours issue, which I think realistically is likely to form a cornerstone of any legislative change," he said on TV One's Q&A programme.

Mr Power said he had recently driven through Auckland early in the morning.

"What I saw on the streets of Auckland, on corner bars and the like, at half past four in the morning -- no good can come of that," he said.

"No good can come of it for those people who are drinking."

Mr Power also indicated there could be a change to laws covering providing underage people with liquor.

"One of the things that's been highlighted in the last month or two has been this issue of after-ball parties," he said.

"In particular, where another adult is providing an underage person with liquor at their home.

"Presently the law exempts that as being an office if the minor is attending a private social gathering, whether or not they have their parents' consent to consume liquor."

He said he was having "a hard look at that".

Mr Power said the Government's approach to liquor law reform would zero in on harm caused to young people.

"They key for the Government is to get a legislative response together which zeroes in on where the harm is actually occurring and not to the detriment of those New Zealanders who are drinking in moderation."

The Government is expected to announce its plans next month.