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Story: Alcohol

Māori and alcohol legislation

This timeline shows the main legislative provisions affecting the consumption of alcohol by Māori. Lawmakers in New Zealand took a protective attitude towards Māori with respect to alcohol, and they were usually supported by Māori leaders. As a result, restrictive legislation began earlier and was more prohibitive than that applied to non-Māori.

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Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

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How to cite this page

Jock Phillips, Alcohol – Prohibition movement, 1880–1919, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/40669/maori-and-alcohol-legislation (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Jock Phillips, published 11 January 2013, updated 1 April 2016.