Neighbourhood Intelligence

NZ Meth Wastewater Risk Map

Regional methamphetamine consumption data for New Zealand, based on wastewater analysis. Q1 2026 data — January to March 2026.

36.6 kg

Meth consumed per week nationally (Q1 2026)

100%

Of NZ wastewater sites tested positive

+15%

Above previous four-quarter national average

$1.9B

Estimated annual social cost of meth in NZ (BERL)

$36M+

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.

VERY HIGH— Significantly above national average (1,352 mg/day)

HIGH— Above national average — elevated risk profile

ELEVATED— Below national average but upward trending

MODERATE— Lowest relative levels — meth still confirmed in all sites

Northland

VERY HIGH▲

2,282 mg/day per 1,000 people

Highest per-capita methamphetamine consumption of any monitored district nationally — 69% above the national average of 1,352 mg/day.

Waikato

VERY HIGH▲

1,685 mg/day per 1,000 people

Persistently elevated — 25% above the national average. Consistently ranks among the highest districts nationally.

Eastern (Hawke's Bay / Gisborne)

VERY HIGH▲

1,656 mg/day per 1,000 people

23% above the national average. Persistent high result across multiple quarters.

Central (Manawatū / Taranaki / Whanganui)

HIGH▲

1,599 mg/day per 1,000 people

18% above the national average. Upward trend from four-quarter average of 1,447 mg/day.

Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)

HIGH▲

1,519 mg/day per 1,000 people

12% above the national average. Highest absolute weekly volume nationally at 17,227 grams. Upward trend.

Bay of Plenty / Tauranga

HIGH▲

1,405 mg/day per 1,000 people

4% above the national average, trending upward. Also records the highest cocaine consumption per capita nationally.

Wellington

ELEVATED↑

1,064 mg/day per 1,000 people

Below national average but a significant 27% increase from its four-quarter average — the largest upward movement in the Wellington region on record.

Tasman (Nelson / Marlborough)

ELEVATED↑

995 mg/day per 1,000 people

Below national average but trending upward — 15% increase from four-quarter average.

Christchurch (Canterbury)

ELEVATED↑

916 mg/day per 1,000 people

37% increase from four-quarter average — one of the largest upward movements in Q1 2026. Also records very high MDMA consumption per capita (422 mg/day).

Southland (Otago / Dunedin / Invercargill)

MODERATE↑

574 mg/day per 1,000 people

Lowest methamphetamine per-capita consumption nationally, though trending upward. Highest MDMA per capita nationally at 550 mg/day.

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 National Drugs in Wastewater Programme, Quarter 1 2026 (January–March 2026). Published by PHF Science. 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.

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