logo
Turning The Tide: New Zealanders Unite To Curb Harmful Drinking

Turning The Tide: New Zealanders Unite To Curb Harmful Drinking

Scoopa day ago

Press Release – Alcohol Beverages Council
Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm, …
'New Zealanders strongly support confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers, targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers and alcohol education programmes in schools', said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls.
For the past six years the NZ Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) has independently surveyed 1000 Kiwis [i] and found the support for the following (net harm) reduction measures continue to have significant support:
Confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers +79% (2019: 80%)
Targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers +78% (2019: same)
Alcohol education programmes in schools +70% (2019: 72%)
Heavier fines for drunk and disorderly behaviour +59% (2019: 56%)
Allow Police to issue spot fines for minor alcohol related offences +55% (2019: 36%)
Use alcohol interlocks in cars to reduce drink driving +54% (2021: same)
Alcohol education programmes in workplaces +44% (2022: 54%)
Since 2014 the total number of New Zealanders convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs [ii] has declined by 27% from 20,972 to 15,365 (2024).
Men factor in the stats considerably more than women with nearly four out of five convictions for drink driving and/or drugs are men [iii].
The recent NZ Road Safety Week showed the number of alcohol-related road deaths reduced by nearly 40% [iv] (from 2023 to 2024).
Alcohol interlock court mandated orders have increased from 262 (2015) to 3,972 in 2024. [v]. From 2018, alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings.
'Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking – a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm', said Virginia.
Since 2019 the Tomorrow Project – a social change charity governed by Spirits NZ, NZ Winegrowers and the Brewers Association has funded the Life Education Trust to deliver 'Smashed' a theatre-in-education programme for high school students that provides practical information and advice to support better decision making.
Independent research [vi] showed the programme was supporting positive changes to youth drinking culture.
In NZ we are drinking less and drinking better with the move to moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle.
The annual NZ Health survey [vii] provides information on New Zealander's health and wellbeing shows that 83.4% of NZ adults (five out of six of us) are drinking beer, wine and spirits responsibly. This is an increase of 4.7 percentage points over the past four years (78.7% 2019/20).
Hazardous drinking [viii] or harmful alcohol consumption among adults over the past four years has declined to 16.6% (21.3% 2019/20).
The Stats NZ alcohol consumption per capita has also declined by 28.3% since 1986 [ix].
[i] Curia market research October 2024, 1000 adult respondents
[ii] Driving under the influence: The number of finalised charges and number of people with finalised charges and convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Also includes number of people with orders for alcohol interlock devices.
In 2014 there were 20,972 convicted.
NZ total driving under the influence 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Convicted 16,290 16,000 16,207 16,621 16,245 13,571 13,920 15,078 15,682 15,365
alcohol interlock orders 262 345 331 1,700 3,582 3,089 3,538 3,764 3,864 3,972
Alcohol interlock orders became a sentencing option in September 2012. From July 2018 alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings under section 65A of the Land Transport Act 1998. Section 65A of the Land Transport Act
Ministry of Justice (NZ): driving under the influence: Data tables | New Zealand Ministry of Justice, accessed 6 May 2025
[iii] In 2024 78% of men and 22% of women were convicted of driving under the influence offences in NZ (driving under influence of alcohol and/or drug). People convicted of driving under the influence offences in New Zealand – Figure.NZ, accessed 3 June 2025
[iv] Hon Chris Bishop and Hon Mark Mitchell 2024 compared with year before: Roadside breath testing up; alcohol-related road deaths down | Beehive.govt.nz, , accessed 3 June 25
[v] See (ii)
[vi] Smashed 'showed us ways to deal with peer pressure,' NZCER, September 2022
[vii] New Zealand Health Survey | Ministry of Health NZ, accessed 19 November 2024
[viii] Hazardous drinking among the total population. Hazardous drinking refers to a score of 8 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), which suggests hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption.
[ix] Stats NZ: Total NZ population 15 years and over alcohol available for consumption (per head of population). Year end 1986 (10.730 litres), year end March 2025 (7.690 litres): View table – Infoshare – Statistics New Zealand accessed 26 May 2025.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

ACT MP Welcomes Changes To Anti-Stalking Bill, Calls For Urgent Action On Newer Forms Of Abuse
ACT MP Welcomes Changes To Anti-Stalking Bill, Calls For Urgent Action On Newer Forms Of Abuse

Scoop

time6 hours ago

  • Scoop

ACT MP Welcomes Changes To Anti-Stalking Bill, Calls For Urgent Action On Newer Forms Of Abuse

Press Release – ACT New Zealand Patterns of abusive behaviour deserve to be recognised by the law, and these changes will help victims seek justice, ACT MP Laura McClure. ACT MP Laura McClure is welcoming changes made at select committee to strengthen the proposed anti-stalking law, but says more must be done to protect New Zealanders from modern forms of digital abuse, particularly sexually explicit deepfakes. 'I'm pleased to see the Government respond to public concern about stalking with more robust and practical legislation,' says McClure. 'Patterns of abusive behaviour deserve to be recognised by the law, and these changes will help victims seek justice. 'But we can't stop here. As technology evolves, so do the tools of harassment and abuse. Sexually explicit AI-generated deepfakes made without consent are a fast-growing threat, especially to young people and women. 'I have a members' bill in the ballot that would create a specific offence for the creation and distribution of non-consensual sexually explicit deepfake content. This should be adopted as a Government Bill. 'Deepfakes are harming real people today, and the law is failing to keep up. 'The same commitment to protecting stalking victims should extend to those targeted by synthetic sexual abuse. We need clear, targeted laws so police can act, courts can prosecute, and victims can get justice.'

Warning of phone scammers impersonating cops
Warning of phone scammers impersonating cops

Otago Daily Times

time10 hours ago

  • Otago Daily Times

Warning of phone scammers impersonating cops

Photo: RNZ Police are warning New Zealanders to keep an ear out for cold callers impersonating police officers. Waitematā's acting Detective Senior Sergeant Ben Bergin said scammers would pose as officers and try to extract personal details from the victim. "The story changes slightly, but it will usually involve some sort of investigation and this 'officer' will report having located a valuable item of yours, such as a passport," he said in a statement. "He will need your help or ask for your personal information. The caller speaks with an English accent and provides a bogus ID number to the victim." Police arrested a number of people last year for a similar scam, which involved the scammers asking victims to withdraw cash as part of an "investigation." "We strongly advise that you hang up," he said. "From time-to-time, Police officers may contact you as part of their genuine duties. It can be a bit surprising to receive a call unexpectantly, so stop and think if you get a far-fetched story shared down the telephone line."

ACT MP Welcomes Changes To Anti-Stalking Bill, Calls For Urgent Action On Newer Forms Of Abuse
ACT MP Welcomes Changes To Anti-Stalking Bill, Calls For Urgent Action On Newer Forms Of Abuse

Scoop

time10 hours ago

  • Scoop

ACT MP Welcomes Changes To Anti-Stalking Bill, Calls For Urgent Action On Newer Forms Of Abuse

Press Release – ACT New Zealand Patterns of abusive behaviour deserve to be recognised by the law, and these changes will help victims seek justice, ACT MP Laura McClure. ACT MP Laura McClure is welcoming changes made at select committee to strengthen the proposed anti-stalking law, but says more must be done to protect New Zealanders from modern forms of digital abuse, particularly sexually explicit deepfakes. 'I'm pleased to see the Government respond to public concern about stalking with more robust and practical legislation,' says McClure. 'Patterns of abusive behaviour deserve to be recognised by the law, and these changes will help victims seek justice. 'But we can't stop here. As technology evolves, so do the tools of harassment and abuse. Sexually explicit AI-generated deepfakes made without consent are a fast-growing threat, especially to young people and women. 'I have a members' bill in the ballot that would create a specific offence for the creation and distribution of non-consensual sexually explicit deepfake content. This should be adopted as a Government Bill. 'Deepfakes are harming real people today, and the law is failing to keep up. 'The same commitment to protecting stalking victims should extend to those targeted by synthetic sexual abuse. We need clear, targeted laws so police can act, courts can prosecute, and victims can get justice.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store