The latest findings from the New Zealand Health Survey reveal the most favourable outlook on hazardous drinking since the survey's inception.
According to the annual Health Survey Assessment of National Health and Well-being, Stats NZ data supports a positive shift in New Zealand's drinking habits.
Virginia Nicholls, Executive Director of NZABC, said that the Health Survey indicated the lowest rate of hazardous drinking to date, standing at 16 percent of the adult population (compared to 18.7 percent in 2022).
"This reduction is significant and shows the change in how we drink," said Nicholls.
Notably, there is a 7.1 percentage point decrease in hazardous drinking among 18–24 year-olds, now at 23.8 percent (compared to 30.9 percent in 2022), and a 1.6 percentage point reduction among 25–34 year-olds, down to 21.6 percent.
This year's survey highlights significant shifts in hazardous drinking among different demographics. Maori have experienced an 8.3 percentage point reduction to 25.1 percent (from 33.4 percent in 2022), while the European/other group has seen a 3.1 percentage point decrease to 16.9 percent. Pacific and Asian communities have remained stable at 21.5 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively.
The survey highlights a trend towards more responsible drinking, with 84 percent of New Zealand adults—more than four out of five—responsibly consuming beer, wine, and spirits. This marks a three percentage point increase from the previous year (81 percent in 2022).
Furthermore, the proportion of people consuming alcohol in the past twelve months has decreased by 2.1 percentage points, with 76.3 percent of the population, an estimated 3,205,000, having consumed alcohol (compared to 79.1 percent in 2022).
Recent Stats NZ data also supports these trends, indicating a 3.1 percent decrease in beer, wine, and spirits consumption over the past year.
"The way in which New Zealanders drink is continuing to undergo a culture shift."
Nicholls continued that beer, wine, and spirits consumption has declined by more than 25 percent since the late 1970s.
"There are some encouraging trends, but any harmful drinking is not acceptable, and so we still have a way to go."
