The Drinking Game

An incisive analysis of how our drinking culture is influenced by the government, media and big business, by investigative journalist Guyon Espiner.

'This is real, it is raw, and it lays out the truth about booze.' - Patrick Gower

'Thought-provoking but never preachy, Espiner blends personal experience with his formidable journalism talents as he dissects the role of booze in our lives.' - Jack Tame

Ever wondered why it always seems like a good time for a drink?

Four years ago, investigative journalist Guyon Espiner gave up drinking alcohol. He had been a heavy yet controlled drinker since his teens - abstaining three nights a week but making up for it the other four. One morning he woke up after a big night and decided he'd had enough and he quit - no AA, no support groups. Not drinking has given Guyon a new perspective on our relationship with alcohol in Aotearoa, and a lot of it is disturbing.

The Drinking Game investigates the alcohol industry: the power, politics and lobbying behind our most harmful drug. Weaving together personal experience, hard research and interviews, it examines why New Zealand has such a heavy drinking culture, the harm it causes and how our attitudes to alcohol are changing.

This is a sobering look into how the way you drink is shaped not only by your individual choice, but also by government, media and big business.