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National Drugs in Wastewater Programme - Quarter 1, 2026

National Drugs in Wastewater Programme - Quarter 1, 2026

Date Published: 
June 2026

Results are now available for the first quarter (2026) of drugs in wastewater testing, which covers almost 80% of New Zealand’s population.

The drugs tested for include methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin. These reports focus on methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine as these drugs are routinely detected by the programme.

Social harm cost estimates have been included in this report. These are derived from the New Zealand Illicit Drug Harm Index 2023 (National Drug Intelligence Bureau (2023). The New Zealand Illicit Drug Harm Index 2023: Research report. Wellington: Ministry of Health). The Drug Harm Index 2023 provides a conservative measure of the harms associated with the use of illicit drugs in New Zealand and considers both personal and community harms.

Key findings: January – March (Q1 2026)

Please note, the Q1 2026 report includes a third page providing the data behind the per capita consumption by district bar graphs.

Methamphetamine

  • Methamphetamine use across sample sites remained elevated and was stable during Q1 2026, averaging an estimated 36.6 kilograms per week. This was 15% (or 4.7 kilograms) above the average quantity consumed over the previous four quarters.
  • Most districts recorded above average methamphetamine use.
  • Methamphetamine use across sample sites in Q1 2026 equates to an estimated weekly social harm cost of $38.4 million.

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

  • MDMA use increased in Q1 2026, averaging an estimated8.1 kilograms per week. This was 21% (or 1.4 kilograms) above the average quantity consumed over the previous four quarters.
  • Only Tāmaki Makaurau and Canterbury District recorded a notable increase in MDMA use when compared with their average consumption over the previous four quarters.
  • MDMA use across sample sites in Q1 2026 equates to an estimated weekly social harm cost of $1.7 million.

Cocaine

  • Following the exceptionally high cocaine use recorded in Q4 2025 averaging 9.4 kilograms per week, cocaine use decreased in Q1 2026 averaging an estimated 7.0 kilograms per week. This was 12% (or 0.7 kilograms) above the average quantity consumed over the previous four quarters.
  • Most districts recorded above average cocaine use.
  • Cocaine use across sample sites in Q1 2026 equates to an estimated weekly social harm cost of $2.6 million.