National Wastewater Testing Programme - Quarter 4 2021

Results are now available for the fourth 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 Q4.

Key findings: October – December 2021 (Q4 2021)

Methamphetamine

• The average national weekly methamphetamine use during Q4 2021 was 17.3 kilograms. That is 32 percent or 4.2 kilograms higher than the average quantity detected over the previous four quarters.    
• Per capita methamphetamine consumption was highest in Northland district. However, Waikato, Tāmaki Makaurau and Central districts have all shown steady increases in methamphetamine consumption each quarter in 2021.
• Approximately $8.7 million per week was generated from methamphetamine distribution across New Zealand sample sites in Q4 2021.

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

• The average national weekly MDMA use during Q4 2021 was 5.7 kilograms. This is a small increase when compared with Q3 with most districts recording an increase in consumption.
• Of the sites tested, Canterbury district consumed the most MDMA per capita during Q4 2021, followed by Southern district.
• Approximately $1.1 million per week was generated from MDMA distribution across New Zealand sample sites in Q4 2021.

Cocaine

• Cocaine use remained low throughout Q4 2021. The average national weekly cocaine use during Q4 2021 was 0.6 kilograms, 36 percent below the average quantity detected over the previous four quarters.  
• Tāmaki Makaurau continued to consume the most cocaine per capita in Q4 2021. However, all districts including Tāmaki Makaurau recorded a decrease in cocaine consumption.