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%.
In the past year beer has declined by 11.4%, wine by 10.4% and spirits by 2.3%.
Since 2011 the number of standard drinks available for consumption per person per day has declined from 2.2 standard drinks to 1.6 standard drinks in 2025 [2], a decline of 24%. In the past year standard drinks fell 8.4%.
This means consumption dropped to 11.4 standard drinks per week in 2025, the lowest level since records began in 2011.
Health NZs low-risk drinking guidelines are no more than two standard drinks a day for women, and three standard drinks a day for men, with at least two alcohol free days each week. It is important not to drink while pregnant.
“Beer, wine and spirits have responded to this moderation trend by offering a wide range of full strength, mid strength and zero alcohol products. This innovation reflects our commitment to supporting responsible drinking”, said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls.
An Independent industry research poll of 1,000 New Zealanders in October 2025 [3] found 50% of respondents drinking low-alcohol beverages at least some of the time, and some of us prefer low alcohol beverages.
In the NZ Health survey [4] (Nov 25) which provides information on New Zealander’s health and wellbeing five out of six New Zealanders (83.4%) drink beer, wine and spirits responsibly, and there has been an across-the-board decline in different measures of riskier drinking as compared to 2016/17.
When we compare our drinking with other countries in the OECD [5] Kiwis are drinking less than the OECD average. This includes less than the US, UK, Australia, Germany, France and Ireland.
“In NZ we are committed to encouraging responsible drinking and believe that for adults, moderate alcohol consumption can be part of a well-balanced lifestyle”, said Virginia.
References:
[1] Stats NZ: Total NZ population 18 years and over alcohol available for consumption (per head of population). Year end December 2005 (9.886 litres pure alcohol, year end December 2025 (7.562 litres pure alcohol), accessed 25 February 2026: Alcohol available for consumption: Year ended December 2025 | Stats NZ
[2] Stats NZ: Total NZ population – number of standard drinks available for consumption per person aged 18 years and over, per day, 2011-2025, accessed 25 February 2026: Alcohol available for consumption: Year ended December 2025 | Stats NZ
[3] Curia Market Research, 1,000 participants, October 2025
[4] Annual Update of Key Results 2024/25: New Zealand Health Survey | Ministry of Health NZ accessed 19 November 2025. There were 9,253 adult sample size.
[5] International comparison: OECD (2022), Alcohol consumption (indicator), litres per person
OECD data explorer: OECD Data Explorer • Alcohol consumption, accessed 3 February 2026.
| Alcohol consumption litres per person OECD | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Canada | 8.0 | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.1 | |
| New Zealand | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.2 |
| United States | 9 | 9.2 | 9.5 | 9.5 | |
| UK | 9.7 | 9.7 | 10 | 9.9 | 9.3 |
| Australia | 10.1 | 10.9 | 10.7 | 10.5 | |
| Germany | 10.6 | 10.5 | 10.4 | 10.6 | |
| France | 11.4 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 10.4 |
| Ireland | 10.8 | 9.9 | 9.8 | 10.3 | 9.9 |