National Wastewater Testing Programme - Quarter 3 2021

Results are now available for the third quarter (2021) of nationwide wastewater testing, which covers around 75% of New Zealand’s population.

The drugs that have been tested for are methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, MDMA and fentanyl. Both heroin and fentanyl were not detected during Q3.

Key findings: July – September 2021 (Q3 2021)

Methamphetamine

• Average national weekly methamphetamine use during Q3 2021 was 16.8 kilograms. This is approximately 40 percent or 4.7 kilograms above the average quantity detected over the previous four quarters. August and September 2021 recorded some of the highest methamphetamine use since testing began.
• All districts recorded per capita methamphetamine consumption above their usual averages, with Tāmaki Makaurau and Waikato recording the largest increases.
• Northland district consumed the most methamphetamine per capita (1152mg/day/1000 people), above the national average of 714mg/day/1000 people.
• Approximately $8.4 million per week was generated from methamphetamine distribution across New Zealand sample sites in Q3 2021.

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

• Average national weekly MDMA use during Q3 2021 was 5.2 kilograms. This is an increase when compared with Q2 2021, but remains 17 percent below the average amount detected over the previous four quarters.
• Of the sites tested, Southern district consumed the most MDMA per capita (304mg/day/1000 people), above the national average of 189mg/day/1000 people.
• Approximately $1 million per week was generated from MDMA distribution across New Zealand sample sites in Q3 2021.

Cocaine

• Average national weekly cocaine use during Q3 2021 was 0.7 kilograms. This is a slight decrease when compared with Q2 2021, but remains 34 percent above the average quantity detected over the previous four quarters.
• Tāmaki Makaurau continues to record the highest levels of cocaine consumption per capita (52mg/day/1000 people), above the national average of 29mg/day/1000 people.
• Approximately $283,000 per week was generated from cocaine distribution across New Zealand sample sites in Q3 2021.