Media Release

We welcome the Ministry for Regulation’s Hospitality Sector Review, which targets the areas where reform can make the greatest difference, including alcohol licensing and examines how regulation works in practice. “We welcome the review’s focus on making regulatory processes more efficient, streamlined and proportionate to risk,” said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. “The existing [...]

As the global self-optimisation [1] trend grows, more people are focused on improving how they eat, exercise, work and live. But for some, the pressure to constantly improve [2] can become overwhelming and isolating. “Social isolation can be a side-effect of the self-optimisation trend which sees people trying to become the best version of [...]

Ministry of Justice figures for the past nine years tell us that the number of convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs has declined from 16,647 (2016) to 15,048 (2025), a decline of 9.6% [1]. “Younger New Zealanders saw the biggest drop in driving under the influence convictions [2] over the [...]

"Recently released regional alcohol data from the NZ Health Survey demonstrates a sustained positive shift in our nation's drinking culture. Responsible drinking rates have improved across all 16 regional councils, with encouraging gains among younger New Zealanders," said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. This regional data compares the earliest period 2016/17 – with the latest [...]

“Public debate about alcohol in New Zealand is sometimes dominated by outdated assumptions. The latest evidence shows a far more balanced and positive picture – one that deserves to be part of the conversation”, said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. 1).  Alcohol consumption in New Zealand has been declining for decades [1]  New Zealanders [...]

We welcome the proposed changes to the Sale & Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill (the Bill). “This is a common-sense approach to help improve our licensing system, although there is room to go further to simplify and streamline the process”, said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. For license-holders todays announcement means [...]

According to just released Stats NZ data our beer, wine and spirits consumption per head of population [1] is at an all-time low declining in the last year by 8.4% to 7.6 litres of pure alcohol, and in the past 20 years by 23%. The total volume of beer, wine and spirits available for [...]

New attitudinal research from the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) shows that almost nine in ten adults from a recent US and UK industry poll [1] (89% UK / 81% US), agree that moderation is a responsible way to enjoy alcohol, while most (78% UK / 71% US) see it as part of [...]

As the Christmas season is upon us we reflect on the eighth year of the independent annual Curia Market Research Poll [1] (Curia Poll) commissioned by the NZ Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) which highlights the way people are choosing to drink their beer, wine and spirits. “Consumers have an increasing interest in health, wellbeing [...]