Alac pulls Halberg awards sponsorship

The Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (Alac) will end its association with the Halberg Awards next year.

Alac chief executive Dr Mike MacAvoy today confirmed the sponsorship would end after the next Halberg Awards dinner in February.

"We've had 10 great years of association with the Halberg Trust and the awards," MacAvoy said.

"The association between the promotion of moderation in alcohol consumption and elite sport is a good fit and it has worked very well for us, so this was not an easy decision.

"We're now moving to change the culture of drunkenness or 'binge drinking' behaviour across New Zealand, and our programmes and promotions are changing accordingly."

MacAvoy said Alac was talking to the Halberg Trust about using elite sports people to champion its messages.

- NZPA