Research examining the relationships among Maori cultural identification, drinking behaviour, drinking motivation and mental health is almost non-existent. A review of literature suggests that stronger Maori identification could be associated with lower alcohol consumption on a typical occasion, less frequent drinking, drinking to enhance mood or sociability (positive reinforcement) and better mental health. Maori identification and mental health would be related inversely to negative reinforcement (reduce aversive and undesirable states) and to negative affect (feeling angry, aggressive). The convenience sample consisted of 113 male and 334 female Maori aged 18-80 years (M = 33.88, SD = 11.43). Participants completed an online or mail questionnaire which included demographic information, Maori identification, drinking behaviour and motives, and the Mental Health Inventory. Results showed that Maori identification was significantly correlated with frequency of drinking but not with motivation or mental health. After controlling for amount of drinking and relevant demographic variables, regression analysis showed that motivation uniquely accounted for a total of 19% of the variance in mental health scores. The findings suggest that relationships between Maori identification, mental health, drinking behaviour and motivation are complex and worthy of further study.