Results are now available for the second 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: April – June (Q2 2026)
Please note, the Q2 2026 report includes a third page providing the data behind the per capita consumption by district bar graphs.
Methamphetamine
- Methamphetamine use across sample sites decreased during Q2 2026, averaging an estimated 33.3 kilograms per week. This was consistent with the average quantity consumed over the previous four quarters. The exceptionally high methamphetamine use recorded in April 2026 has resulted in an elevated Q2 2026 average, despite lower levels observed in May and June 2026.
- Most districts recorded below average methamphetamine use when compared with their average consumption over the previous four quarters.
- Methamphetamine use across sample sites in Q2 2026 equates to an estimated weekly social harm cost of $34.9 million.
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
- MDMA use decreased in Q2 2026, averaging an estimated 6.2 kilograms per week. This was 0.9 kilograms (12%) below the average quantity consumed over the previous four quarters.
- All districts recorded below average MDMA use.
- MDMA use across sample sites in Q2 2026 equates to an estimated weekly social harm cost of $1.3 million.
Cocaine
- Cocaine use largely remained stable in Q2 2026 averaging an estimated 6.8 kilograms per week. This was consistent with the average quantity consumed over the previous four quarters.
- Approximately half of the districts recorded below average cocaine use.
- Cocaine use across sample sites in Q2 2026 equates to an estimated weekly social harm cost of $2.5 million.