This shows the importance of beginning to talk to children about the dangers of drinking as early as nine years of age.

In New Zealand, the proportion of 15 to 17 year olds who drank alcohol in 2017/18 was 57.4%, and the rate of hazardous drinking amongst this group was 7.2% (Ministry of Health, 2019).

Tips for parents:

• Delay their first drink for as long as possible.

• Warn children about the dangers of alcohol misuse. Kids see alcohol advertised everywhere — on the sides of buses, on billboards and in movies. Use opportunities, such as alcohol consumption in a movie, as a chance to talk to your teen about alcohol.

• Be a good role model. According to the report, 80% of teenagers say that their parents are the biggest influence on their decision to drink.

• Parents should avoid talking about alcohol to fix problems, like coming home and saying "I need a drink".

• When you take your teen to the doctor or another health professional, let them talk to them alone. This way, kids can feel like they're in a judgement-free environment.