Mâori Drink Less Regularly But More Heavily

Mâori Drink Less Regularly But More Heavily Than Most New Zealanders

Adult Mâori drink less regularly but more heavily than most New Zealand drinkers, according to new research released by the Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC).

BRC Marketing and Social Research’s The Way We Drink: A Profile Of Drinking Culture In New Zealand shows that Mâori are:

less likely to be regular drinkers – 39 percent of Mâori drank at least once a week compared with 56 percent of all New Zealand adults.

more likely to have drunk more than 10 glasses on the last drinking occasion – 22 percent of Mâori compared with eight percent all New Zealand adults.

New Zealand’s adult Mâori population (18+ years) can be divided into people who:

don’t drink at all – “non-drinkers” (18 percent of Mâori adults compared with 19 percent of all New Zealand adults)

are aware of how much they are drinking – “conscious moderators” (19 percent of Mâori adults compared with 29 percent of all New Zealand adults)

are unable to drink as much as they would like to for a variety of reasons – “constrained binge drinkers” (38 percent of Mâori adults compared with 23 percent of New Zealand adults)

have no restrictions on their drinking – “uninhibited binge drinkers” (25 percent of Mâori adults compared with 29 percent of New Zealand adults).

ALAC Chief Executive, Dr Mike MacAvoy, says Mâori adults share similar attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol consumption with the rest of the New Zealand population with many Mâori demonstrating uninhibited binge drinking characteristics. However, lower income levels appear to have an impact on access to alcohol for Mâori adults.

“ALAC is working with Mâori communities to support them in identifying and responding to alcohol-related issues facing Mâori whânau. A national hui held by ALAC last month set up a Taumata (national leadership group) for the Mâori drug and alcohol sector to provide leadership and guidance to reduce harm from alcohol for Mâori,” Dr MacAvoy says.

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