The Drinking Game

‘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

‘Of all the books that will be published in New Zealand in 2023, it’s hard to imagine there will be many more important than this one. It’s a gem; thought provoking, startling, persuasive and entertaining, exploring how the way we drink has been shaped by factors far beyond any individual’s control.’ – Michael Burgess, ketebooks.co.nz
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.

Author Biography

Guyon Espiner is one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded journalists, whose career spans print, television and radio. He is currently an investigative reporter for Radio New Zealand.