Skip to content
Nighttime satellite view of New Zealand — city lights tracing the two main islands against dark ocean.
Neighbourhood Intelligence

NZ Meth Wastewater Risk Map

Regional methamphetamine consumption data for New Zealand, based on wastewater analysis. Q2 2026 data — April to June 2026.

33.3 kg
Meth consumed per week nationally (Q2 2026)
100%
Of NZ wastewater sites tested positive
+0.5%
Above previous four-quarter national average
$1.9B
Estimated annual social cost of meth in NZ (BERL)
$34.9M+
Estimated weekly social harm cost (BERL, annualised)

Methamphetamine is present in every region of New Zealand. Risk varies by intensity, not presence. Higher regional meth use increases the likelihood of contamination events within properties — but only property-specific testing can confirm contamination.

New Zealand — Q2 2026

Methamphetamine consumption by region

Milligrams per day per 1,000 people, highest to lowest. Dashed line marks the national average (1,214 mg/day).

VERY HIGHSignificantly above national average (1,214 mg/day)
HIGHAbove national average — elevated risk profile
ELEVATEDBelow national average but upward trending
MODERATELowest relative levels — meth still confirmed in all sites
Northland1,779
Eastern1,565
Waikato1,485
Central1,482
Auckland1,412
Bay of Plenty1,303
Tasman981
Wellington890
Christchurch631
Southland595

Any Level of Meth Residue Carries Cost

Any level of meth residue can contribute to overall contamination within a property. Over time, or when combined across surfaces, this can exceed regulatory thresholds — triggering remediation costs, insurance limitations, and ongoing liability for the property owner. There is no such thing as "no risk" contamination.

Understand your property's risk

Regional data is a signal. Only testing confirms contamination at your property.

Source: New Zealand Police / PHF Science — New Zealand Drugs in Wastewater Programme, Quarter Two: April–June 2026. Data reflects monitored wastewater catchments only and should not be extrapolated to represent entire districts. This map does not confirm contamination at any individual property — property-specific testing is required.

NZ Methamphetamine Wastewater Intelligence

From Regional Data to Property Assessment

Trace the path from national wastewater monitoring data to professional, property-specific meth testing. Regional data is an awareness signal — only testing confirms contamination at your property.

Concerned About a Property?

Talk to an independent EnviroCheck assessor.