This survey looks at changes in health risk behaviours post-lockdown (Alert Level 1). This survey includes information on alcohol, tobacco, gambling and mental wellbeing.

Key findings

1. Drinking habits are returning to pre-lockdown levels for most New Zealanders with two-thirds (64%) drinking at their usual (pre-lockdown) levels. This means those who were drinking more during lockdown have decreased their drinking, but also those who were drinking less during lockdown have now increased their drinking.
2. Among those who drank in the last week, fewer are drinking every day (11% post-lockdown, compared with 19% during lockdown level 4)
3.  The proportion of respondents who have experienced harm from their own or another person’s drinking has not changed since coming out of lockdown
4. Smoking habits have not yet returned to pre-lockdown levels. Almost a quarter of all smokers (23%) have continued to smoke more than usual, with a third of Māori smokers (33%) smoking more than usual 
5.  However, non-daily smokers have continued to decrease the amount they are smoking, with 41% smoking less than they did pre-lockdown 
6.  Gambling levels are reported to be less than pre-lockdown across all gambling types, including online gambling
7. The proportion of people experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety has remained the same since coming out of lockdown (16%), but the severity of symptoms has decreased 
8. Young people, and those who have experienced a change in personal income due to COVID-19, are most likely to be experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety 
9. A higher proportion of Māori report that they are struggling to cope with everyday stresses (17% compared with 9% among non-Māori non-Pasifika).