The Government believes New Zealand drivers aren't ready to moderate their drinking. We know they are. So take responsibility for keeping our roads safe by signing up: Two Drinks Max.
- Sign up at nzherald.co.nz here
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New Zealand's Transport Minister says he doesn't have to worry about how much he's drinking - he's got a government chauffeur.
Steven Joyce's response is typical of that from many senior MPs, who fall back on promises to commission more drink-drive research. It is research that will not be completed until after next year's election.
Parliament is somewhat notorious for its booze culture: Green MP Nandor Tanczos once described MPs as "drunk in charge of a country", and "Father of the House" Jonathan Hunt infuriated colleagues by saying MPs drank during their dinner breaks, returned to the House intoxicated and insulted one another.
Labour's Ruth Dyson resigned her ministerial offices after drinking several glasses of wine at her Beehive desk then driving home, only to be randomly stopped by police and test over the limit.
Steven Joyce said he was a "one or two-drink person" before entering Parliament - exactly the number the Herald on Sunday is encouraging people to sign up to with its Two Drinks Max campaign.
"I think it's a very good initiative and I think the majority of people are doing that right now," he said. "If you get more people to do that, that's great."
Yet he declined to sign the pledge, admitting drink-driving wasn't an issue with a ministerial limo: "I don't have much of an opportunity to consider that now."
But while the heavy hitters may still be sitting on the fence, the small party leaders and backbenchers are far more forthright. Green co-leader Metiria Turei, Act leader Rodney Hide and Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia have all signed up. So too some of John Key and Phil Goff's MPs.
Tau Henare said: "Two drinks is quite enough to be on the safe side. I don't even drink one when I'm driving."
Labour's Darren Hughes, who has drafted a private member's bill to lower the drinking age, said there was no need for more research.
Mayors Len Brown of Auckland, Stuart Crosby of Tauranga, Julie Hardaker of Hamilton, Celia Wade-Brown of Wellington and Bob Parker of Christchurch have also signed up.
