So, next month, she will abstain from drinking alcohol as part of FebFast 2012, a month-long event aimed at raising funds for charities working with young people affected by alcohol or drug issues.
And she is encouraging others in Otago to join her.
"At every barbie, every function, alcohol is present.
"You can see how difficult it must be for young people trying to manage the often mixed messages they get about alcohol use and abuse.
"Young people bear the effects of these mixed messages, even though grown-ups are responsible for sending them.
"By giving up alcohol for just a month, I can take stock of how much I drink and when, and it's a good chance to model a different way of being in a social context," she said.
Last year's FebFast raised more than $100,000, and funds from this year's event will support drug and alcohol programmes run by Evolve (Wellington), Rainbow Youth (Auckland), CareNZ (Waikato) and the ADHD Association, she said.
"FebFast provides an opportunity to show that grown-ups can be sensible about alcohol. That's a good message to send.
"I expect to significantly increase my water intake over February - that can only be a good thing."
