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November 11, 2025
Dr Maria Baker | will the Governments new Meth package make a difference?
Dale Husband
Posted On November 11, 2025
Download AudioThe Government has announced a new $30 million methamphetamine response package, which includes new addiction treatment services, a nationwide anti-meth campaign aimed at reducing stigma, and tougher maritime and policing measures as part of its health-focused interventions to tackle methamphetamine harm. Recent data show a sharp increase in methamphetamine use and harm in New Zealand. For example, wastewater testing indicated that national meth consumption more than doubled from ~732 kg in 2023 to ~1,434 kg in 2024.
Seizures of meth and related precursor chemicals (importation, etc) have surged. One report found a 266 % increase in meth seized in New Zealand and offshore over the past five years. The social harms are large. According to reporting, the estimated social harm cost to New Zealand from meth in 2024 was about NZ$1.5 billion. The problem is not just individual use but the link between meth use and organised-crime networks: supply chains, export/import, money laundering, and wider community damage. Many communities (especially rural, regional, Māori, and high-need areas) report being hard hit, indicating that the issue isn’t evenly distributed and may require targeted services. Given this context, the government judged that stronger action was needed-both on the supply side and on the demand/impact side; hence the package.
On 9 November 2025, the government announced a comprehensive “action plan to combat methamphetamine harm”. Key elements include:
$30 million over four years allocated within the Vote Health mental health and addiction budget, aimed at increasing the services available to communities hardest-hit by methamphetamine. A nationwide media campaign over four years, funded via the Proceeds of Crime Fund, to raise public awareness of meth-related harm. Strengthened enforcement: enhanced powers for the New Zealand Police (e.g., intercepting communications, searching electronic evidence), stronger border and maritime work via New Zealand Customs Service, New Zealand Defence Force and the Government Communications Security Bureau.
Additional funding (approx. $23.1 million) for international liaison roles, anti-money laundering teams, and a community-led “Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities” programme. A focus on disrupting precursor chemical flows, breaking drug supply chains, expanding treatment capacity and early intervention, especially in communities with the highest nee
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