Young people are being encouraged to air their views on a range of subjects by joining the Ministry of Youth Development's Activate group.

The group, made up of 15 to 21-year-olds, has made its first oral submission to a select committee on the Sale of Liquor Act.

Aotea College pupil Nicol Bryant says one of their main concerns is young people turning to alcohol to have fun, because some other activities such as the movies, are too expensive.

The 16-year-old says raising the drinking age back to 20 will not solve the problem.