A lack of surprise over the drops sales for spirits and RTDs

New Spirits New Zealand data, shows spirits and RTD volumes fell by 18 percent, and 12-point-5 percent respectively in the year ending October.

It's attributing the decline to both economic conditions, and ongoing changes to New Zealand's drinking culture.

Chief executive Robert Brewer, says it's part of an ongoing global trend where less people are drinking hazardously.

He says what they've seen in the last decade in particular, is more young people choosing not to drink at all or a lot less.