New Zealanders getting through close to 7kg of cocaine a week
New research indicates that cocaine consumption in New Zealand has reached approximately 7kg per week, driven by increased availability and social acceptance. Experts warn that the country is in a 'honeymoon' phase and lacks the cultural memory of the severe social harms associated with long-term drug use.
Why it matters
Rising drug consumption trends highlight potential public health crises and the need for informed policy interventions in emerging markets.
New Zealanders are getting through nearly 7kg of cocaine a week. Photo / 123rf
Cheaper, more readily available cocaine, and increased social acceptance has led to a steep increase in use in less than a decade, new research shows, with New Zealanders getting through nearly 7kg of cocaine a week in the second quarter of 2026.
This was down slightly from the record figures recorded in late 2025, with police wastewater testing reporting New Zealanders were using an estimated 9.4kg of cocaine a week.
During the same period, Kiwis were also using an estimated 34.7kg of methamphetamine each week.
Cocaine has increased threefold since 2017 , with the latest New Zealand Drug Trends Survey (NZDTS) showing a “steep rise”, with 31% of respondents reporting cocaine use, compared to 11% in 2017/2018.
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