The first findings from the 2024 New Zealand Drug Trends Survey (NZDTS) show a decline in the price of meth, increasing cocaine use and availability and an increased availability of psychedelics.
Other findings include high availability and declining prices for illegal cannabis since the NZDTS began, and nicotine vaping surpassing tobacco smoking for the first time.
The NZDTS has been conducted annually since 2017 and can now present longer-term trends in drug availability, price and emerging drug use for all 16 regions of Aotearoa New Zealand, based on the anonymous online reports of over 10,000 people. The NZDTS aims to provide an annual snapshot of drug trends in New Zealand to inform policy debate, help services, and harm reduction initiatives.
Professor Chris Wilkins from Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre says, “There are signs of a saturated methamphetamine market in New Zealand, with record low prices for points and grams of methamphetamine, particularly in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, and Waikato.
This is consistent with reports of new international supply sources from North and South America, with Mexican cartels reportedly offering methamphetamine at less than one third of the price of established Asian producers.”
Cocaine availability increased in 2024 compared to previous years, with availability particularly high in Auckland, Northland, Waikato, Taranaki and the Bay of Plenty. Use of cocaine increased in all regions.