Protecting Aotearoa's mental wellbeing through effective alcohol policy
Position statement by the Mental Health Foundation and Alcohol Healthwatch asking the government to prioritise public health approaches to alcohol as part of an effective mental health, wellbeing and addiction response.
April 2025
Directly and indirectly, alcohol has an extensive influence on poor mental wellbeing, mental distress, and suicide. Much of this harm is preventable through evidence-based public health policy, and there are already many Aotearoa New Zealand-based recommendations to guide progress – including those provided in He Ara Oranga, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and alcohol law, the 2014 Ministerial Forum on Alcohol Advertising and Sponsorship, the 2014 Ministry of Justice report on the effectiveness of alcohol pricing, and the 2010 Law Commission report on the review of regulatory framework for the sale and supply of liquor. Our principal recommendation is for the government to progress the well-overdue review of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 to fully embed these policy measures.
Policy positions and submissions
Share this page
There is no health without mental health
Help ensure everyone in Aotearoa has the tools to enjoy positive mental health and wellbeing.
Did you find this article useful?