Meth use stays near record levels as first anti-meth campaign falls flat, NZ Herald reports

New Zealanders used about 33.3kg of methamphetamine a week in the second quarter of 2026, according to police wastewater testing reported by RNZ and the NZ Herald, with an estimated social harm cost of $34.9 million every week. Use has stayed elevated since it jumped in mid-2024.

What happened

An "exceptionally high" April lifted the quarterly average, according to reports of the police data. NZ Herald reporting says estimated consumption that month reached a record of at least 39.6kg in a single week, about 1.98 million common doses. Weekly use then dropped, the Herald reported.

The first quarter of 2026 averaged 15 percent higher than the previous four quarters, according to 1News.

Massey University professor Chris Wilkins leads the drug research team at SHORE & Whariki, which runs the New Zealand Drug Trends Survey.

Why it keeps rising

Price is part of the picture. The New Zealand Drug Trends Survey shows a gram of meth fell from $563 in 2017 to $334 in 2025, and a "point" of about 0.1 grams can now sell for $55.

What it means for you

The harm cost is a modelled estimate of what use costs society, not a bill sent to households. Wastewater data cannot show who is using, or separate addiction from occasional use.

Who is responsible and what they say

Customs and Associate Police Minister Casey Costello said, as RNZ reported, "we have shown that we can make an impact against meth and the Government continues to do more to fight it on a number of fronts."

The national awareness campaign is part of the Government's response. The NZ Herald reported that phase one, a $100,000 test run from December to February, reached 855,625 people on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok with a video titled "How meth addiction works". About 450 people watched the full video, and the average view time was two seconds, with a sharp drop-off where explicit evidence of meth harm is introduced. The Herald reported ministry papers said the campaign "is not generating the levels of attention or interaction typically associated with health behaviour change campaigns".

The NZ Herald reports phase two is a $1.68 million "stop before you start" push running through to June next year, and phase three, from 2027 to 2029, is costed at $2.48 million.

What happens next

Police are expected to publish further quarterly wastewater results, which will show whether the recent drop lasts. The campaign's later phases will be judged against that data.

What to watch

Supporters of the campaign say phase one was a small test that can be adjusted. Critics say its early results were weak. Wastewater figures over the coming quarters, and whether prices keep falling, will show more than any single week's number.