A new report has revealed methamphetamine consumption in New Zealand almost doubled last year, with cocaine use also seeing a sharp increase.
The 2024 National Drugs in Wastewater Testing Programme report, published by New Zealand Police, showed an estimated 1,434 kilograms of methamphetamine was consumed across 61 testing sites — a 96 percent increase compared to 2023.
The social harm cost of methamphetamine use was estimated at $1.5 billion.
Cocaine consumption increased 90 percent, with 215 kilograms detected — the highest level since testing began.
MDMA consumption remained stable, with 367 kilograms detected, mostly linked to weekend and festival use.
The report said locations with high methamphetamine use per capita were mainly regional North Island towns also facing significant socioeconomic challenges.
Cocaine use, which was previously lower than MDMA, exceeded MDMA at some sites for the first time — a sign of growing demand.
Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said the findings were alarming and highlighted the Government’s failure to tackle crime and addiction.
“These official numbers from New Zealand Police show meth use is surging. Communities are suffering from addiction and crime, and the Government has no real plan to break the cycle,” Andersen said.
“The report shows that at least 1,434 kilograms of methamphetamine was consumed in 2024 — an unprecedented increase — at a social harm cost of $1.5 billion. This is a direct threat to public safety as meth fuels violent crime and puts massive pressure on frontline police, who are already stretched thin under this Government.”
Andersen said the Government was failing to meet police recruitment promises.
“New Zealanders were promised 500 new police officers, but the Government has been losing police faster than they can hire them. Meanwhile, they’re telling retailers ‘you’re on your own’ with their dangerous citizen’s arrest plan.”
“This Government has no real plan and no interest in prevention. They’re obsessed with headlines, not real results. Mark Mitchell has failed on recruitment and failed on crime,” Andersen said.
