Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller has today put his hand up to be a champion for responsible drinking in Parliament, in response to the Ministry of Health report on the impacts of alcohol on our community and a call out from the AM Show for a MP to front the issue.

'That doesn't mean I'm coming out as an advocate for abstinence. What I'm coming out in support of is a positive drinking culture in New Zealand and a responsible approach to alcohol," says Todd.

'I'm sure there are all sorts of scientific measures for what would constitute ‘responsible' drinking – but like most New Zealanders that isn't what I use as my yard stick. The yard stick I prefer is common sense."

Todd says we all know the difference between an occasional drink after work and a few social drinks on the weekend, and that "well-worn track of slowly increasing both the quantity and frequency of drinking, to the point it becomes harmful or holds you back from what you want to be”.

'For me, our drinking becomes irresponsible when it becomes several drinks a day, every day. It becomes irresponsible when you're drinking behaviour is different from your sober intent.

'If we are being really honest, I don't think there would be many New Zealanders who haven't at some stage had to step back and take a long hard look at their drinking.

"I know I've had to have that look in the mirror before and if I'm honest it remains an ongoing personal tension between having a drink and being the most productive and healthy I can be."

Todd says everyone has had to choose between having that extra drink or easing off the alcohol their fitness, move to their next tier in their chosen sport or work towards that promotion you've really wanted.

'I'm a big believer that too much of the Kiwi social fabric is intertwined with a drinking culture that makes it difficult for those who are trying to ease off. You either find yourself sober with drinking going on around you, or remove yourself from that scene and get a bit isolated.

"We need to talk about this issue a lot more and bring it out in the open, to make responsible drinking more acceptable."

Todd says he's looking forward to discussing the issue with his parliamentary colleagues.

"From my experience, Parliament's drinking culture is very responsible. I used to work here 20 years ago and the culture is night and day compared to those times and it's a credit to Parliamentarians and the many hundreds of people who work here.

"That's said, there can only be benefit in ensuring this conversation has some profile within the precinct."