Publications

Alcohol consumption by young people aged under 18 years (‘under 18s’) increases the risk of adverse physical and cognitive development, other alcohol-related harms, and alcohol-use disorders later in life. Social supply is the supply of alcohol to individuals under the minimum purchase age by parents, guardians, friends, or others.

This top-line summary provides a high-level overview of results from the 2020 Health and Lifestyles Survey (HLS). The HLS monitors short, medium, and long-term societal changes in attitudes, knowledge, and behaviours related to mental health and wellbeing, tobacco use, vaping, gambling, nutrition, alcohol, and sun exposure. The HLS also tracks changes in views about the social desirability and acceptability of various strategies to minimise harm from these risk factors and promote wellbeing. This summary focuses on the prevalence of these risk factors, exposure to harm, and strategies to minimise harm.

The relationship between alcohol and mental wellbeing is complicated. Not least because both exist on a spectrum, from the occasional glass of wine to alcohol dependence, and from low mood to severe mental distress.

This is one of three reports highlighting the results from the first Alcohol Use in New Zealand Survey (AUiNZ). This report describes the results for Māori respondents, and focuses on providing detailed within-Māori comparisons.

The Alcohol Use in New Zealand Survey (AUiNZ) 2019/20 methodology report details the processes for survey development, data collection, analysis and reporting, and lessons learnt. The questionnaire is also available.