Cocaine Use Surges in New Zealand Amid Lower Prices and Rising Availability

New research reveals a significant rise in cocaine use in New Zealand, with residents consuming nearly 7 kilograms of the drug weekly in the second quarter of 2026. This marks a slight decline from the peak of 9.4 kilograms per week recorded in late 2025, according to police wastewater testing. Methamphetamine use remains high, with an estimated 34.7 kilograms consumed weekly during the same period.

Cocaine use has tripled since 2017, with the latest New Zealand Drug Trends Survey (NZDTS) showing 31 percent of respondents reporting use, up from 11 percent in 2017/2018. Massey University professor Chris Wilkins, who leads the survey, notes that users typically consume the drug infrequently, which may create a false sense of safety. He warns that New Zealand's lack of historical experience with widespread cocaine use could lead to underestimating its risks, including addiction, mental health issues, and long-term cardiovascular problems.

The price of cocaine has dropped by nearly a third since 2017, from $368 to $247 per gram when adjusted for inflation. Wilkins attributes this to new supply routes via the Pacific and increased production in Central America. He also warns of the potential for fentanyl, a dangerous opioid, to enter New Zealand through the same drug trafficking networks. University of Auckland senior lecturer Dr Rhys Ponton emphasizes the need for harm reduction strategies, including expanded drug testing and healthcare adaptation.

University of Wellington associate professor Dr Fiona Hutton warns against moral panic and encourages drug testing and education. She notes that cocaine now makes up 10 percent of tested substances, up from previous years. Hutton advocates for policies focused on harm reduction rather than supply-side interventions, urging governments to support those affected by cocaine use.