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Story: Māori smoking, alcohol and drugs – tūpeka, waipiro me te tarukino

Ghost chips

Video file

The ‘ghost chips’ advertisement shown here was one of a series put out in 2011 by the New Zealand Transport Authority. ‘Ghost chips’ was a response to the high number of young Māori men driving drunk and crashing. In fatal or serious-injury-related crashes in 2008–10, 38% of young drivers involved were Māori. The ad became very popular, with over a million views on YouTube in the fortnight after it was launched.

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NZ Transport Agency

Video courtesy of Clemenger BBDO

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How to cite this page

Megan Cook, Māori smoking, alcohol and drugs – tūpeka, waipiro me te tarukino – Māori use of alcohol, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/39872/ghost-chips (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Megan Cook, published 3 December 2012.