Crate Day: What It Reveals About NZ Culture, Binge Behaviour & Stress

What Is Crate Day and Why Do Kiwis Celebrate It?

Every first Saturday in December, Kiwis mark Crate Day, a quirky start-of-summer ritual born from a radio promo in 2010. On Crate Day, friends gather for a barbecue and attempt to drink a “crate” (12 bottles, about 9 L) of beer in one day. It’s seen by many as a fun way to celebrate summer’s arrival and unwind after a busy year.

Viewed reflectively, however, Crate Day highlights how deeply alcohol is woven into New Zealand’s social fabric. The event cements the idea of communal festivity while showing how easily celebrations can tip into excess.

What Crate Day Says About NZ’s Drinking Culture

Crate Day offers a snapshot of how alcohol is used to connect and relax, but also how binge drinking remains a normalised part of social life. Studies of New Zealand drinking patterns show that around one in five adults already drink hazardously (binge or risky drinking) each week, and emergency departments see predictable spikes in alcohol-related cases around peak times. Binge drinking is defined as more than 4 standard drinks for women, or 5 for men, in approximately 2 hours

In Auckland, 7% of all emergency presentations are linked to alcohol, mostly involving men aged 20–39, with clear weekend peaks. Research in Waikato found alcohol-related Emergency Department presentations were 1.5 times higher on Crate Day weekends, doubling among those aged 20–34. Together, these numbers illustrate how one celebratory day can reflect wider habits of excess.

How Binge Drinking Affects Health and Wellbeing

It has long been known that alcohol causes more harm to society than any other legal or illegal drug. Beyond immediate risks like accidents or injuries, binge drinking has lasting effects on both mental and physical health. Heavy drinkers are more than twice as likely to report poor mental health compared to others. Cutting back on heavy drinking is linked with improved mood, relationships, and general well-being.

The quick buzz that comes from drinking heavily often gives way to fatigue, anxiety, and lower life satisfaction. Over time, alcohol can become less of a social lubricant and more of a coping tool, one that ultimately increases stress rather than easing it.

The Role of Stress and Coping in NZ Drinking Habits

Many Kiwis use alcohol to unwind or manage end-of-year stress, and Crate Day fits that pattern. Drinking may offer temporary relief but often deepens stress and dependency. The Mental Health Foundation warns that drinking to manage negative emotions increases the risk of harm and dependency.

Crate Day, then, is more than a party, it mirrors a national habit of “drinking our worries away.” Understanding this pattern helps shift focus from judgement to awareness.

A Healthier Way to Celebrate

Experts working in early intervention, such as the PIVOT service by Explore, see Crate Day as an opportunity for change. PIVOT’s Specialist Service Manager, River Paton, notes that while Crate Day might appear harmless, it also reinforces the glamorisation of binge drinking. She advocates for moderation, personal responsibility, and stronger support for those who may be struggling.

“Instead of celebrating events that glorify excessive drinking,” Paton says, “we should be promoting balance, healthier habits, and empathy toward those finding it hard to stop.”

How to Enjoy Crate Day Without Overdoing It

1. Remember What a Crate Means

A crate holds about 300g of alcohol, or 30 standard drinks. Drink slowly, stay hydrated, and eat throughout the day.

2. Set a Personal Limit

You can celebrate summer and have a good time without finishing the crate. Share it, switch to a single drink, or choose a low or non-alcoholic alternative.

3. Check Your Motivation

If you’re drinking to cope with stress, try other ways to relax; a walk, a swim, or catching up with friends.

4. Look Out for Mates

Help each other stay safe and comfortable. Watch for signs of over-drinking, negative effects on mental health, and avoid dangerous activities.

5. Focus on What Lasts

The barbecue, laughter, and sunshine make lasting memories, the hangover doesn’t.

Finding Balance in a Drinking Culture

Crate Day can be fun and social, but it also holds up a mirror to how New Zealanders use alcohol to connect and cope. Reflecting on our habits (rather than judging them) helps build a healthier balance. By celebrating responsibly, we can keep the good parts of Crate Day without the harm that often follows.

References

1. Ministry of Health (2023). Annual Update of Key Results 2022/23: New Zealand Health Survey. [online] Ministry of Health NZ. Available at: https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/annual-update-of-key-results-202223-new-zealand-health-survey
2. Soysa IB, Brebner AC, Thomas D, Becker E. Alcohol-related presentations to emergency departments on Crate Day in Waikato, New Zealand. N Z Med J. 2023 Mar 24;136(1572):26-35.
3. News, R. (2017). Crate day symptom of binge drinking culture. [online] RNZ. Available at: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/345263/crate-day-symptom-of-binge-drinking-culture
4. 1News (2024). ‘Crate Day’ can mean 12 beers in 12 hours – and that’s not harmless fun. [online] 1News. Available at: https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/12/07/crate-day-can-mean-12-beers-in-12-hours-and-thats-not-harmless-fun/
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8. Fanslow, J.L., Hashemi, L., Gulliver, P.J., McIntosh, T.K.D. and Newcombe, D.A.L. (2024). Population-Level Impacts of Alcohol Use on Mental and Physical Health Outcomes. Healthcare, [online] 12(16), p.1592. 
9. Mentalhealth.org.nz. (2025). Protecting Aotearoa’s mental wellbeing through effective alcohol policy. [online] Available at: https://mentalhealth.org.nz/resources/resource/protecting-aotearoa-s-mental-wellbeing-through-effective-alcohol-policy [Accessed 22 Oct. 2025]
10. Campbell, S., Jasoni, C. and Longnecker, N. (2019). Drinking patterns and attitudes about alcohol among New Zealand adolescents. Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 14(2), pp.276–289. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/1177083x.2019.1625934.