Police unite in trans-Tasman booze blitz

There will be nowhere for drunk drivers to hide on New Zealand and Australian roads this weekend. File photo / NZ Herald

Police across New Zealand and Australia are this weekend holding booze blitz targeting roads and licensed premises.

The combined operation, named Unite, would target alcohol harm and attempt to make the drinking culture of the two countries a safer and more responsible one, police said.

The operation starts at 6pm tomorrow and runs until 6am on Sunday.

Extra police staff will be working, patrolling the roads and streets, with a special focus on checking licensed premises, entertainment spots and party venues.

Operation Unite aimed to send a strong message that police and the community would not put up with alcohol-related violence, drunken and anti-social behaviour, Tasman district road policing manager Inspector Jenni Richardson said.

"If you drink and drive the likelihood of being stopped at a checkpoint will be extremely high this weekend," she said.

"The message we are trying to get across to everyone is that alcohol impairs your ability to make sound driving judgements and it is not worth putting yourself or others at risk by drinking and driving."

Alcohol misuse took up a significant amount of police time and resources, accounting for about $250 million of the annual police budget.

- NZPA