Are we binge-drinking-bums?

My mission - to investigate whether New Zealand really does have a drinking problem, and if so, what can be done about our restricted and/or backwards approach to bars and socialising?

I'm getting rather fed up with the constant media hammering of New Zealand's "binge drinking culture". It's getting to the point where I feel guilty for downing a single beer on a week day, let alone having (heaven forbid) more than TWO on the weekends. According to the powers that be, when you analyse the amount of alcohol I consume and frequency of consumption, technically-speaking I am considered an "alcoholic". Please. Things are getting out of hand and over-dramatised. That said, I do agree that the issue of hoards of kiwis piling into our city centres, getting overly boozed and wreaking havoc is one of prevalence and, in my opinion, doesn't stem from our apparent binge drinking culture. Rather, I feel it is directly related to our distinct lack of suburban social culture and minimal amount of local bars.

We've all done the London thing, where we found ourselves regularly gathering at the pub on the corner for a pint or two after work, and are infinitely disappointed when we return home to discover that no matter how hard we try, we struggle to recreate that wonderful social atmosphere that is London Pubs.

The biggest problem with New Zealand (Auckland in particular) is that instead of having a "pub on every corner", we have a "liquor store on every corner". The growing number of these establishments is scaring the hell out of the government, and rightly so. So what do we do about it? Is it really possible to change people's attitudes or should we simply write kiwis off as a bunch of over-indulging alcoholics?

Verdict: I recently moved to the city fringe of Auckland, and I didn't realise how much I would love it. Within walking distance are cafes, bars, pubs, etc and instead of encouraging me to drink more with the large availability of alcohol, I have fallen into a blissful culture of the odd drink at my local with friends either after work or on a Sunday afternoon, after which I return home to relax on the deck with a good book. So I prefer to remain optimistic about this growing concern regarding alcohol - glass half-full and all that (excuse the pun). A dramatic change requires patience and perseverance, and I believe we have the power to achieve it. Our coffee culture has emerged strongly over the years, and there is a cafe easily found in most suburban neighbourhoods. We pop out or meet up for a "quick coffee" frequently, and I see no reason why we can't do the same with alcohol. So, instead of opening further retail liquor outlets in our population-increasing outer city suburbs, how about a few pubs/bars? The poms have the right idea when it comes to drinking, and opening more local bars not only encourages punters to stick to their own areas instead of crowding the cities (not to mention less of an issue with drink-driving), but it helps us to establish better conversation/social skills and keeps us away from the TV. Cheers!

By Wendy Roigard
Restaurant & Catering News