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Waipiro

Alcohol

We provide information, advice, research and resources to help prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm and inspire New Zealanders to make better decisions about drinking alcohol.

Drinking alcohol is a part of many New Zealanders’ lives. For a significant proportion, the amount and pattern of drinking causes harm to themselves and others. Harm can include injuries, alcohol poisoning, alcohol dependence and other health conditions, road trauma, offending and assaults, and impacts on children and families.

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    We work with health and social services, justice sector agencies, central and local government, community organisations, alcohol producers and the hospitality sector to:

    • build social permission for people to drink at low-risk levels or not drink

    • make it easier to seek and find help early

    • influence policies, practices and the management of environments to support people to drink at low-risk levels or not drink

    • contribute to strengthening those factors that support low-risk drinking or not drinking.

    Our alcohol work focuses on people at risk of, or experiencing, the greatest alcohol-related harm. Our priority population groups include:

    • teenagers under 18 years

    • young adults aged 18 to 24 years

    • young women who are drinking moderately to hazardously who are at risk of unplanned pregnancy, with a focus on Māori

    • adults in mid-life (45 to 65 years) whose drinking is putting them at risk of experiencing alcohol-related harm

    • problematic drinkers who are not seeking help.

    For information, advice, tools and resources on alcohol visit our website alcohol.org.nz

    alcohol.org.nz

    What does Te Hiringa Hauora do?

    Our work ensures that:

    • people are more aware, motivated and able to drink at low-risk levels or choose not to drink
    • physical, social and policy environments and services support New Zealanders to drink at low-risk levels or not drink.

    Our alcohol work is funded from the levy on alcohol produced or imported for sale in New Zealand.

     

    Learn more about our alcohol work

    Policy, advice and research

    We have a statutory function to give advice, make recommendations and undertake research on alcohol-related issues.

    A key piece of work over the past two years has been the development of a Te Tiriti o Waitangi-aligned National Alcohol Harm Minimisation Framework. It is structured around the two pillars of policy change and culture change, with the aspiration of Aotearoa free from alcohol-related harm.  

    We provide New Zealand’s low-risk alcohol drinking advice for adults and young people under 18.

    Other work  involves providing oral and written submissions and contributing to the policy processes  and work programmes in central and local government. An example of our work on alcohol policy involves contributing to the Ministry for Primary Industry-led alcohol labelling work.

    We also undertake a wide range of alcohol-related research. 

    Legislation and implementation

    Our work contributes to implementing alcohol-related legislation and government policy. This includes the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, the National Drug Policy 2015 to 2020, and the Taking Action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: 2016-2019: An Action Plan.

    We provide support, advice and resources for regulatory agencies, including local government, New Zealand Police, and public health services. The aim of this work is to help organisations that are responsible for the administration of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

    We also help businesses, clubs and event organisers who are licensed to sell and supply alcohol to meet their legal requirements and practice host responsibility.

    Go to alcohol.org.nz to learn more

    View, download and order resources

     

    In your community

    We provide advice and support to communities wanting to take action on alcohol-related harm at a local level.

    Go to alcohol.org.nz to learn more

    We have online information and resources that you can share with your community, including your family, workplace, sports club, community group, or school.

    View, download and order resources

    Consumer and health services information

    Our alcohol.org.nz website has a range of information about alcohol and its effects, including during pregnancy. It also links to where to find help and has interactive tools to help people assess their own drinking and learn about standard drinks.

    We also provide resources for health services and others to use when working with people with problematic alcohol use and with pregnant women. 

    Campaigns

    Our current and ongoing campaign is Amohia te Waiora. It takes a culturally responsive, community owned, and strengths-based approach to alcohol harm minimisation. We provide campaign tools, links to support services, and information to raise awareness at alcohol.org.nz.

    Our previous campaigns include the Department of Lost Nights (the latest phase of our Say Yeah, Nah campaign), Pre-Testie Bestie (the latest phase of our Don’t Know? Don’t Drink campaign), and Helpseekers.

     

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