Accidental prohibition for NZ

Carrying or consuming alcohol in public could prove very expensive

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (CNN) -- New Zealand has effectively introduced prohibition after a controversial law designed to curb drunken mayhem over the holiday season was passed by parliament.

The bill originally intended to make it unlawful for anyone to consume or carry alcohol in designated liquor-free areas and carried a fine of up to NZ$500 ($210).

However an error in the wording of the legislation means that drinking or the carrying of alcohol could be banned in any public area of the country.

"An alcohol ban that was introduced for a few discreet places now covers every park, every beach, every road and footpath," opposition National Party MP Nick Smith said.

"It will be practically impossible to purchase alcohol without breaking this proposed law."

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The law was rushed through parliament overnight Wednesday to try and prevent repeats of mass drunkenness, violence and riots that traditionally occur in parts of the country over Christmas and New Year.

The government sought to reassure New Zealanders on Thursday it would not crack down unnecessarily on alcohol related charges.

"The police are not going to use this power to confiscate any alcohol from anybody in any public place," Michael Cullen, the government's Leader in the House told Radio New Zealand.

"There is not the faintest chance of this going to happen. They are far too busy with other things to go around wasting their time every time someone has got a six-pack of beer," he said.