Hurdle seen in meth harm plan: ‘Cat and mouse game’

A multimillion-dollar plan by the government to curb methamphetamine harm could become "a cat and mouse game" as drug supplies get moved around the Pacific, a University of Otago academic says.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced on Sunday the government had agreed to a "bold and comprehensive action plan" to combat methamphetamine harm in New Zealand.

Wastewater testing indicated a doubling of meth consumption from 732kg in 2023 to 1434kg in 2024.

Meth seized in the country and offshore had increased 266% over the past five years, and the estimated social harm cost to New Zealand related to meth use was $1.5billion in 2024.

"Meth is a scourge on our society," Mr Goldsmith said.

"Increased meth use fuels organised crime, and destroys lives."

Significant action was already under way, but more could be done to disrupt international supply, sharpen enforcement and reduce demand, he said.

The plan includes $30 million in funding over four years to increase available services to communities hardest hit by meth and a four-year nationwide media campaign — funded to the tune of $5.9m from the Proceeds of Crime Fund.

Customs, the Defence Force and GCSB would also be directed to undertake a series of maritime operations to disrupt organised crime networks operating across the Pacific Ocean.

University of Otago psychological medicine department, Christchurch, Prof Joe Boden said such operations reflected the reality of the drug trade at present.

"I suspect it will cut into supply, but then it’s a bit of a cat-and-mouse game, really, because then the supply will shift again.

"That’s the old game of cops and robbers, basically."

Meth was not made in New Zealand to any appreciable extent any more, he said.

It was brought into the country "made and ready to go" and was so cheap to manufacture suppliers could afford for a certain amount to be interdicted.

The increase in meth was both a demand and a supply problem, and the plan recognised more needed to be done to address the latter, he said.

It was primarily an attempt to restrict the flow of drugs into the country.

"In terms of population-level consumption, it won’t make a huge dent.

"It will probably cut into it, to some degree, so any supply reduction I think is quite useful."

More lasting changes could be made by providing health support and alternatives to meth users.

Funding of $30m towards available services was "a small amount" and more could always be done, Prof Boden said.

Mr Goldsmith said police would also be enabled to reclaim ill-gotten gains from organised crime groups "as quickly and effectively as possible" and have increased enforcement abilities, including being able to intercept communications and search evidence stored electronically.

The maritime sector would be consulted on plans to strengthen border security and shut down opportunities for organised criminals to operate through New Zealand ports, such as strengthening background checks.

An additional $23.1m in funding would establish new offshore liaison positions, establish an additional money-laundering team and fund a work programme, until December next year, to combat the harms of meth and organised crime through community-led responses.