The Health Minister says Crate Day is "concerning", while National's health spokesman says its a remnant of a NZ many want to leave behind.

Those on both sides of the political divide have condemned the beer drinking event Crate Day as outdated and harmful.

Health Minister David Clark says events that promote binge-drinking behaviour are "concerning".

While National health spokesman Jonathan Coleman says events that promote binge-drinking, like Crate Day, are part of a past New Zealand should be leaving behind.

SIMON O'CONNOR/STUFF Health Minister David Clark says New ZEaland already has a binge-drinking culture.

On Saturday, thousands of mostly young Kiwis from across the country are expected to participate in National Crate Day.

READ MORE:

* Participating in Crate Day? Save me a spot in hospital

* How New Zealand's national Crate Day came to be

* The first Saturday in December not a good day for Hāwera police

* Queenstown police want a 48-hour alcohol ban over Crate Day weekend

Promoted by The Rock FM, Crate Day involves consuming a "swappa crate" – 12 large (745 millilitre) bottles of beer – to celebrate the beginning of summer.

On Friday afternoon, almost 47,000 had liked the National Crate Day Facebook page.

It claims Crate Day was started by The Rock's Duncan Heyde, and 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".

And while some people do share their crate, historically, the point of the day was to finish all 12 crate bottles alone. A tradition many hold to.

RICKY WILSON/FAIRFAX NZ Coleman says he's not a "wowza", NZ just doesn't need a day where young people are encouraged to drink to excess.

The station also sells official merchandise, which is black with a silver fern.

Every year the event put pressure on hospitals as people consume excess amounts of alcohol present to emergency departments around the country.

Research across Australia and New Zealand shows one in eight people presenting at EDs during peak times are there for alcohol-related reasons.

FAIRFAX NZ The Rock FM says Crate Day proactively promotes responsible drinking but apparently not all punters are paying attention.

As well as vomiting, confusion, and risks associated with alcohol poisoning and swallowing your own vomit, there are long-term potential health impacts including alcohol addiction.

During the past few years there have also been riots in the Hāwera CBD, assaults on police, broken jaws, serious eye injuries and increased property damage. Local police have warned against the day.

While Queenstown police have called for a 48-hour alcohol ban in the town centre, after the central city was trashed during last year's event.

Supplied The day often ends in mess, and in some cases violence.

Coleman said Crate Day was a "throwback" to another time and was an out-of-date event that promoted binge-drinking culture.

"I think Crate Day is something, in modern New Zealand, we can do without," he said.

"Excess alcohol consumption contributes significantly to health problems, both in the short and long-term in New Zealand, as well as domestic violence.

NZ POLICE Queenstown's Christmas Tree presides over an untidy Village Green after Crate Day.

"And I think the message sent out by a Crate Day is really not in-step with the times and what we known now about the abuse of alcohol."

Coleman said alcohol consumption was the top cause for increased pressure on emergency departments, and on Saturday, there could be people across the country presenting to EDs with injuries or conditions caused, or made worse, by excess drinking as a direct result of the promotion.

Dealing with drunk people also made the jobs of doctors and nurses harder.

NZ POLICE Police say they've spoken to The Rock about promoting responsible drinking.

"I think it's a remnant of another New Zealand, from another age, and many people would have hoped we were past that, and we certainly do need to move past that."

Coleman said The Rock might call him a "wowser" but that wasn't the case.

A couple of beers, or a wine, with friends or family was fine.

"But the very idea of a Crate Day is inciting people to drink large quantities of alcohol, purely for the sake of it, and trying to make out it's some kind of macho thing to do, when actually, it's not."

Coleman said as well as New Zealand's issues with domestic violence, we also had a high road toll, which was affected by drink driving.

"All I can see coming out of a Crate Day is problems...

"I think the Government should be taking some strong leadership on this as well. You can't be afraid to get some criticism for speaking out against Crate Day. I think people want responsible leadership."

Health Minister David Clark said in a statement: "New Zealand has a binge-drinking culture, which can have serious impacts on people's health and more broadly on society, so events that promote such behaviour are concerning."

Police national prevention manager Superintendent Eric Tibbott said police had spoken to The Rock about encouraging safe and responsible drinking.

"People can enjoy a beer with their mates and have some fun, while still keeping themselves and others safe," Tibbott said.

When hosting a Crate Day, or other events, the host should supervise the party and make sure there is enough food and non-alcoholic drinks available.

They should think about how their guests would get home, and not supply alcohol to minors unless they have the permission of their parent or legal guardian.