The rise in meth consumption in the Far North is driving hunger, school absences and a spike in drug-related harm. Photo / NZM
Muriwhenua has been in a meth crisis for well over a decade and wastewater testing has shown use is now exploding.
In the past 18 months, wastewater testing showed that consumption has shot up by 200%.
Behind those numbers are families drowning in addiction, hungry kids and communities running out of places to turn for help.
Addiction advocate and ANT Trust project manager Mike Corrigan said the real figure could even be higher as testing doesn’t include households on septic tanks, which make up the majority of homes in the region.
He said the rise in consumption is driving hunger, school absences and a spike in drug-related harm.
“It’s like a pebble in a pond. The ripples are felt all throughout the community and it’s not always apparent that meth is behind it.
“You can’t have that level of increase without seeing an effect.”
He said the price of meth on the streets has halved and the cheaper supply could be one of the reasons behind the jump in consumption.
“What would have cost $600 two years ago, now costs $300. What that means is when you’re on the gear, instead of going for two days, you’re going for four days and when you go for four days, everything is impacted. Hunger, school uniforms, truancy, accidents and just everything.”
Corrigan also said young people are being exposed earlier as use becomes normalised.
“I don’t think meth discriminates. There are generational methamphetamine users in Muriwhenua, like there are around the country nowadays. How are they getting into it? They’re getting into it because they see it in their homes. They’re getting into it because they see their friends, their uncles, their aunties, their parents using it.”
Corrigan believes that the answer to lowering consumption lies with peer workers, people with lived experiences who can walk beside those trying to get off meth.
“The opposite of addiction is connection, and we need people who understand addiction to reach whānau where they are.”
Despite the bleak picture, he believes there is hope for those struggling with meth addiction.
“Addiction is savage, but there is always a way back. Getting well is not something that takes a short period of time. There’s no easy way through it. You have to be surrounded by people who are on the same journey as you.”
Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri, NZ Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm said methamphetamine use rapidly increased in the middle of 2024 according to wastewater data – more than doubling across the country and with larger increases in some areas.
She added that the reasons behind the consumptions in the Far North are complex.
“Many of them stem from deep-seated and long-term impacts of colonisation and poverty,” Helm said. “The increase we’ve seen recently is likely because of a big surge in supply into Aotearoa, which is why it’s crucial we focus on interventions that will increase support and reduce demand.”
She said while most who use meth don’t experience addiction, overall methamphetamine has been devastating for many communities, especially as some people with substance use disorder end up selling the drug to sustain their own use.
“Northland is one of the regions that has been consistently more impacted.”
Helm said more health-based interventions are urgently needed, for people to access peer-based support.
Alex Pimm, Te Whatu Ora Group director for operations in Northland, said they are currently working with partners and to implement the new government investment in reducing the demand for meth.
As part of the Government’s Reducing Demand for Methamphetamine Programme 2025-2029, about $30 million over four years will be invested in communities hardest hit by methamphetamine to increase the services available. This includes targeted investment ($14m nationwide) to expand and enhance intensive treatment services in the communities experiencing the greatest increases in methamphetamine consumption and harms, such as the Far North area of Te Tai Tokerau, from Kaikohe to Kaitāia.
The new investment will be coming to the district early next year.
“This will complement existing teams across the district and be primarily focused on supporting whaiora and whānau with addiction.”
“We recognise that people with addiction may experience many boundaries in accessing care. Our lived experience leads us to help us reduce barriers and engage with whaiora to support them with their care.”
He added that they have not noticed any significant changes in people with addiction accessing emergency departments or being referred to our services in Te Tai Tokerau, however our services remain under pressure. I’d like to thank our kaimahi for their ongoing dedication to their patients and communities.