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.
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
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 $1.5 billion. This is a direct threat to public safety as meth fuels violent crime and puts massive pressure on frontline police, who are already stretched thin under this Government.”
Andersen said the Government was failing to meet police recruitment promises.
“New Zealanders were promised 500 new police officers, but the Government has been losing police faster than they can hire them. Meanwhile, they’re telling retailers ‘you’re on your own’ with their dangerous citizen’s arrest plan.”
“This Government has no real plan and no interest in prevention. They’re obsessed with headlines, not real results. Mark Mitchell has failed on recruitment and failed on crime,” Andersen said.
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
5 comments:
Chris, oh my god. Are you serious? OK, I have to call you out on this. Did Ginny Anderson really say the things you mentioned here?
- this government s failure to tackle crime?
- this govt has no plan to break the cycle.
- ....crime puts massive pressure on front line police who are already stretched thin....
- this govt is losing police faster than they can hire them.
- telling retailers that they are on their own....
-this govt has no plan and no interest in crime prevention.
- they are obsessed with headlines and not real results.
Chris lynch, credibility is at stake here, I have no doubt that you are telling the truth, I just can't fathom that a labour person could be sooooooo f$#%<NG stupid to come out and say this. Ginny Anderson is a moron if she can't understand why this country is in this mess as it has everything to do with her party. If she actually said these statements she is even more deluded and dangerous than Ardern and Chippy. Wow. Thanks Chris for the piece.
Andersen's gall is the default setting for the current Labour Party in NZ. Thank you Chris for reporting these stats. They are the result of the excellent work done by Chris Wilkins at Massey University with his wastewater testing program. NZ's drug policy made a little progress under Ardern , especially establishing the need for rehab and providing the funding. The actual administration of and availability of rehab is another topic for discussion. The law and it's administration is a large contributing factor to our illicit drug problem in NZ. Saying no doesn't work. Cannabis should have been made legal over 20 years ago. The network established by the cannabis industry was the foundation for the meth business. I live in Northland .I have observed it all over more than 40 years.There are large families of 3 generations and more up here being raised in households where meth is the main source of income. Few are saved and the dysfunctional-ism and impoverishment of kiwis continues apace with the powers that be largely oblivious to what is going on. One cannot tell the processionals in charge the mess they live amongst is their responsibility. The legal profession is largely to blame for this destructive canker at the heart of our society. The arrogance of the medical profession and the stupidity of our political classes are also well and truly to blame. The struggle Ardern had just to get something rudimentary and sensible like drug testing at festivals put in place says it all . We do not have enough rehab centres we definitely have bugger all in the way of drug education and zero research on the societal carnage illicit drugs have inflicted on our country.
I doubt very much Meth used has doubled in a year. More likely the statistics are no longer hidden. Ginny Anderson said while Police Minister that 'prison is no place for Maoris'. She has extreme views.
International terrorism is funded by the drug trade. Many southeast Asian countries understand this and frequently declare war on this trade.
The gangs including those in NZ control the drug trade, so they should be seen as internal terrorists.
We are too squeamish and lack conviction unless we do the same.
In the meantime, all we are capable of doing is looking at our toilets and going "tut tut".
Anon 7:58
Have you not heard Ginny Anderson being interviewed with Hosking every Wednesday at 8:05 ?
Did you ever hear her being repeatedly asked by du Pleissy Allen about Police numbers ?
I seriously doubt that she is even in control of her mouth let alone anything else.
I'm boggled that Labour ever gave her a portfolio.
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