Crate Day - the first Saturday of December - is an event many Kiwis can't resist, but even the alcohol industry is warning participants to take it easy.
The day involves drinking, or at least attempting, a whole crate of beer - 12 large 750ml bottles. That's a lot of beer.
"If you're participating in crate day, then be a responsible mate and share your crate," Bridget MacDonald, executive director of the New Zealand Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC), told Newshub.
"There's nothing wrong with enjoying a summer drink as part of the balanced lifestyle but we really need to keep it safe and social.
"That means no or low-alcohol options, enjoying your drink with some food, keeping hydrated with water and planning a safe way home."
The NZABC has shared some tips to stay safe and social:
- choose no or low alcohol options
- enjoy your drink with some food
- drink water in between drinks to stay hydrated
- be a responsible mate and share your crate
- plan a safe way home
- support others to stay safe and social.
MacDonald said those who chose no or low-alcohol options should be supported.
"It's always okay to choose a no or low alcohol beverage but choose a drink then simply just kick back, relax and savour your drink slowly."
Crate Day was launched by The Rock radio station in 2009, as a publicity stunt to encourage Kiwis to celebrate the start of Kiwi summer.
"National Crate Day is all about celebrating the first Saturday of summer in true kiwi style: by whacking some meat on the barbie, cranking up the tunes on the radio, playing some highly competitive backyard cricket, exchanging average-to-mediocre banter and, of course, sharing a crate with your mates," The Rock's Facebook page wrote.
Past Crate Days have seen police callouts and emergency departments overrun. In recent years, alcohol campaigners have called for the event to be canned altogether.
So enjoy 'sinking some piss', 'cracking a few cold ones with the fellas' - but do make sure you know when to stop.
