After a relatively trouble-free Christmas Day on the roads, police are urging people not to set themselves up for long-term emotional trauma by drinking and driving.
The holiday road toll stands at just one, after the official holiday period began at 4pm on Thursday.
However, today is expected to be one of the busiest on New Zealand's roads as people leave home for holiday spots.
Inspector Lou Alofa from the police Northern Communications Centre in Auckland, said a death on the road was a tragedy at any time, but at Christmas when families were gathering, it had a particular sadness and poignancy.
He said if a drinking driver died or caused a road death it could mean families could have sad Christmas memories for years.
"The consequences of a loss of a loved one can go for ever. They say time heals but I know of people who have lost people from drinking and driving and there is no end to it."
While there had been some improvements in drink-driving statistics, police were "not letting the foot off the throttle because we are acutely aware of the consequences, Mr Alofa said.
"Many members of our families have been lost through fatal car accidents where the cause has been drinking and driving."
Tougher laws for drinking drivers reflected how the community felt about activities which caused so much carnage.
Holiday deaths on the roads could also be a result of frustration, fatigue, and erratic or dangerous driving, and police urged the public to "take it easy" and make the journey part of the holiday.
Mr Alofa also warned people that boating and fun on or in the water, did not mix with alcohol.
"There is a real need for people to take consequence of the need to be cautious, aware and careful of being under the influence whilst they are in charge of a boat or jet ski or while they are near the water."
NZPA