Cocaine use is experiencing a resurgence in New Zealand, echoing its popularity in the 80s and 90s. Recent reports reveal a concerning trend: cocaine use has more than doubled across all regions between 2021-22 and 2022-23. While Auckland saw the most significant increase, the drug’s availability has surged nationwide.

This surge in cocaine use is reflected in the latest Illicit Drug Harm Index from the Health Ministry, which highlights a staggering 93% increase in daily cocaine consumption, contrasting with a decrease in ecstasy and methamphetamine use. These findings align with data from wastewater testing, the NZ Health Survey, and the NZ Drug Trends Survey.

Prevalence of past-year cannabis use by age.

MDMA Consumtion by Police District

The NZ Drug Trends Survey further reveals that cocaine has become more readily available, albeit at a higher price. Tim Chao, from the Police’s National Drug Intelligence Bureau, attributes this rise to increased supply, enabling existing users to consume more and enticing new users to experiment with the drug.

Organized crime groups are actively targeting New Zealand with cocaine, evident in the multi-kilogram importations intercepted by authorities. Customs seizures of cocaine skyrocketed in the first three-quarters of 2023, surpassing 3.5 tonnes – over three times the amount seized in 2022. This surge is partly attributed to a significant seizure of over 3 tonnes of cocaine, worth an estimated $500 million, in a joint operation last year.

KnowYourStuff, a volunteer drug-checking organization, has also observed a substantial increase in cocaine availability, with the number of samples tested rising from 20 in 2021-22 to 242 in 2023-24.

New Zealand’s attractiveness to transnational organized crime groups is partly due to the high prices drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine command in the local market. In 2023, an estimated $432 million was spent on methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine, based on wastewater testing and typical prices.

While New Zealand often serves as a trans-shipment point for cocaine destined for other locations, the domestic consumption and associated harm are significant. The Illicit Drug Harm Index estimates the total personal harm caused by drug use in New Zealand at $844.71 million, with premature death accounting for a substantial portion. Of the illicit drugs included in the index, methamphetamine causes the most harm, estimated at $451.26 million.

Overall, the estimated harm resulting from illicit drug use in New Zealand is $1.94 billion, surpassing the 2020 estimate of $1.9 billion. These figures underscore the escalating societal cost of drug use and the urgent need for effective interventions.