New Zealand to Spend $50 Million to Stem the Tide of Meth

The amount of meth seized at New Zealand’s borders and in the country has increased by 266 percent over the past 5 years.

New Zealand Police's collaboration with New Zealand Customs Service and Canadian and Australian authorities led to the interception of 713 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in jugs of maple syrup from Canada in January 2023. Sentencing for those found guilty in relation to the drug shipment were handed down on Oct. 2, 2025. New Zealand Police

New Zealand is to spend just over $50 million (US$28.2 million) on a multi-pronged approach to reducing the use and availability of methamphetamine, involving strengthening border security and maritime operations while also boosting addiction services.

Use of the drug—either imported directly or made in the country from precursor chemicals, usually obtained from China—has rocketed in recent times.