Online alcohol deliveries: age verification processes of online alcohol delivery companies in Auckland, New Zealand.

Aim: This study aims to document the age verification processes for online alcohol deliveries in Auckland, New Zealand, with a focus on rapid alcohol delivery (delivery within 2 hours of ordering).

Methods: Alcohol orders from Auckland online alcohol delivery companies were placed by a researcher under 25 years of age over a 2-month period in 2023. Procedures were recorded around speed of delivery and age verification processes.

Results: In total, 33 (73%) of the 45 online alcohol orders did not require age verification at delivery. This comprises 22 (49% of the total) deliveries left unattended at the door and 11 (24%) in-person deliveries that did not request age verification. The average speed of delivery for rapid alcohol delivery companies was 29.5 minutes and the standard deviation 9.5 minutes.

Conclusion: It is common for online alcohol deliveries in Auckland to be left unattended on delivery or delivered without requesting identification. This has implications for increasing alcohol-related harm, including supply to minors. Additional regulation addressing alcohol delivery is needed in New Zealand.