Police Commissioner Peter Marshall says solving the country's alcohol problems would get rid of most criminal offending, and education and legislation are needed to achieve this.
Mr Marshall says police find that their quietest days are Good Friday and Easter Sunday when little or no alcohol is sold.
However, he says New Year's Eve - when he was out on the street with other officers last year - was a different story.
Mr Marshall believes solving alcohol problems would reduce crime by 60% to 70%.
Police have made submissions to Parliament about the problem - but what action is taken is ultimately up to the politicians, he says.
