Uncap our Potential: Join the Movement to Reduce Alcohol Harm
Uncap Our Potential is a movement that invites New Zealanders to make a meaningful difference by supporting collective action on alcohol harm.
Reducing alcohol harm has so many benefits: better physical health (including fewer injuries), better mental health and wellbeing, safer streets and neighbourhoods, happier families, and healthier relationships. Less alcohol harm in our homes, streets, and communities means a brighter and fairer future for all New Zealanders. We can open up space to enable genuine connection, conversations, trust and creativity. As a country, we can uncap our potential.
The latest drinking statistics continue to show no change in the overall prevalence of hazardous drinking in our country. Around one in every five (19.9%) New Zealand adults aged 15+ years has a hazardous drinking pattern that places them and others at risk of harm. Inequities in drinking and harm persist, and are experienced disproportionately by Māori, Pacific people, and persons living in our most deprived neighbourhoods.
Every New Zealander has a right to health. But our pro-drinking environment stands in the way. We need better regulation of alcohol – via policies that tackle the high availability of alcohol in our communities, the pervasiveness of alcohol advertising and sponsorship, and the low price that many alcohol products are sold. These pro-equity policies protect Māori health and assist to uphold obligations to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Better regulation of alcohol can create healthier environments that support New Zealanders to cut down their drinking or be alcohol-free. However, for Governments to act, we need to come together to call for strong action on alcohol harm. First and foremost, we invite New Zealanders to envision a future with reduced alcohol harm. We’ve already heard from New Zealanders working at the forefront of alcohol harm (see their stories here). We’d love you to share your vision!
New year, new opportunities for collective action – join the movement
We sincerely hope that you also share the vision to uncap our potential. In the words of one New Zealander in our videos, "together we can make it a reality". Please support by sharing the digital resources on the campaign website. Please also like and share on any of our social media platforms - https://www.facebook.com/UncapNZ, Instagram – uncapourpotential, Twitter - @UncapNZ.