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1News
20-05-2025
- Health
- 1News
The town where meth use has spiked by more than 300%
Police say they are concerned at the lack of information they're receiving from the public as methamphetamine use in the small rural Central Hawke's Bay town Waipukurau surges. Wastewater testing site at Waipukurau recorded the biggest increase in meth consumption in the country in 2024 — up 333% on 2023. District crime manager Detective Inspector Martin James told 1News that the high readings are "very concerning for us" but Police needed more information to act. Police in Waipukurau are alarmed at the lack of information they're getting from the public, as meth use soars. (Source: 1News) "One of the key concerns for me here in Central Hawke's Bay is a lack of information that is coming through from the public to support us, there will be people within this community that know who are supplying this drug, this heinous drug, and we need them to come forward." While meth use in Waipukurau has increased there hasn't been a corresponding increase in other types of crime in the area. "So we haven't seen a significant increase in crime in Central Hawke's Bay, but for us that's not the point," James said. "What we do know is there's a large amount of methamphetamine consumed in this community and we need to reduce it, and we need the public's help to make that happen." Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker said many in the community are battling. "We're seeing lots of pressure on the community, pressures on families, the cost of living is really causing some struggles and that is putting a lot of pressure on to our families." Walker said given the town hadn't seen an increase in other crimes, some felt the high meth readings were "odd". "But there is no denying that we definitely do have methamphetamine circulating in our community and use circulating in our community, the fact that it's rising says that we have to pay attention to this because this could escalate into something far bigger." In late 2023, the Central Hawke's Bay lost funding for a programme — Herenga Whānau Ora; that was helping people who were struggling with meth addiction navigate the services that were available to them. "Unfortunately, that was really starting to have an impact," the mayor said. She urged the Government to step up and provide addiction support. "Just because we're small and a small population doesn't mean that we're immune from the really big issues and we need that support on the ground to help us to help our community as we are fronting up to this issue, we desperately need their support for us to be able to tackle it. "A one off trip to a councillor does not fix a methamphetamine addiction." When 1News interviewed Waipukurau locals this week, some found the high meth readings hard to believe and others said they'd never seen any evidence of it. Another described the town as a very friendly place, where there was no need to lock the doors when you go out. Recently released data from Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR)'s wastewater testing programme revealed New Zealand's meth consumption rose from 732kg in 2023 to 1434kg in 2024. Using the Official Information Act, 1News obtained the wastewater testing sites that recorded the biggest increases in 2024. Meth use in Huntly rose 41%, in Tokoroa it rose 61% last year, in Levin it was 90% in South Auckland it was 98%. In Waipukurau, it increased 333%. In 2023 in Waipukurau the meth consumption rate was 1.1 grams per day, per 1000 people. In 2024, this had risen to more than 4.8 grams per day, per 1000 people. The wastewater testing didn't indicate whether a lot more people were using methamphetamine or a smaller group of users were consuming much larger quantities of the drug.
Economic Times
18-05-2025
- Economic Times
Waipukurau is the meth capital of New Zealand, use surges 333 per cent
Police urge community support as Waipukurau records NZ's highest meth spike in 2024 Central Hawke's Bay, the town of Waipukurau, is grappling with a 333 per cent spike in methamphetamine consumption in 2024 compared to the previous year, marking the highest increase nationwide. This surge was uncovered through wastewater testing, a method that detects drug residues in sewage, providing a snapshot of community drug use. In Waipukurau, meth consumption escalated from 1.1 grams to over 4.8 grams per day per 1,000 people. Detective Inspector Martin James expressed, "One of the key concerns for me here in Central Hawke's Bay is a lack of information that is coming through from the public to support us. There will be people within this community who know who are supplying this drug, this heinous drug, and we need them to come forward." This increase in meth use hasn't coincided with a rise in other crimes. James noted, "So we haven't seen a significant increase in crime in Central Hawke's Bay, but for us that's not the point." Mayor Alex Walker highlighted the broader challenges facing the community: "We're seeing lots of pressure on the community, pressures on families. The cost of living is really causing some struggles, and that is putting a lot of pressure on our families." She acknowledged the presence of meth in the community, stating, "There is no denying that we definitely do have methamphetamine circulating in our community. The fact that it's rising says that we have to pay attention to this because this could escalate into something far bigger."A significant setback occurred in late 2023 when funding was lost for Herenga Whānau Ora, a program aiding individuals struggling with meth addiction. Mayor Walker said, "Unfortunately, that was really starting to have an impact." She urged the government to provide necessary support, "Just because we're small and a small population doesn't mean that we're immune from the really big issues, and we need that support on the ground to help us to help our community as we are fronting up to this issue. We desperately need their support for us to be able to tackle it. A one-off trip to a counsellor does not fix a methamphetamine addiction."Nationally, methamphetamine consumption nearly doubled, rising from 732kg in 2023 to 1,434kg in 2024. Other North Island towns also saw significant increases: Huntly (41 percent), Tokoroa (61 percent), Levin (90 percent), and South Auckland (98 percent).The wastewater testing doesn't specify whether more individuals are using meth or if existing users are consuming larger quantities. However, the data underscores a pressing need for community engagement and comprehensive support systems to address this escalating issue.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Time of India
Waipukurau is the meth capital of New Zealand, use surges 333 per cent
Central Hawke's Bay town, Waipukurau, faces a staggering 333% surge in methamphetamine consumption in 2024, the highest nationwide. Wastewater testing reveals the alarming increase, while authorities seek public support to identify suppliers. The community grapples with the loss of addiction support programs and rising cost of living, exacerbating the crisis, and urgently requires government assistance to combat this escalating issue. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Central Hawke's Bay, the town of Waipukurau, is grappling with a 333 per cent spike in methamphetamine consumption in 2024 compared to the previous year, marking the highest increase surge was uncovered through wastewater testing, a meth od that detects drug residues in sewage, providing a snapshot of community drug use. In Waipukurau, meth consumption escalated from 1.1 grams to over 4.8 grams per day per 1,000 Inspector Martin James expressed, "One of the key concerns for me here in Central Hawke's Bay is a lack of information that is coming through from the public to support us. There will be people within this community who know who are supplying this drug, this heinous drug, and we need them to come forward." This increase in meth use hasn't coincided with a rise in other crimes. James noted, "So we haven't seen a significant increase in crime in Central Hawke's Bay, but for us that's not the point."Mayor Alex Walker highlighted the broader challenges facing the community: "We're seeing lots of pressure on the community, pressures on families. The cost of living is really causing some struggles, and that is putting a lot of pressure on our families."She acknowledged the presence of meth in the community, stating, "There is no denying that we definitely do have methamphetamine circulating in our community. The fact that it's rising says that we have to pay attention to this because this could escalate into something far bigger."A significant setback occurred in late 2023 when funding was lost for Herenga Whānau Ora, a program aiding individuals struggling with meth Walker said, "Unfortunately, that was really starting to have an impact." She urged the government to provide necessary support, "Just because we're small and a small population doesn't mean that we're immune from the really big issues, and we need that support on the ground to help us to help our community as we are fronting up to this issue. We desperately need their support for us to be able to tackle it. A one-off trip to a counsellor does not fix a methamphetamine addiction."Nationally, methamphetamine consumption nearly doubled, rising from 732kg in 2023 to 1,434kg in 2024. Other North Island towns also saw significant increases: Huntly (41 percent), Tokoroa (61 percent), Levin (90 percent), and South Auckland (98 percent).The wastewater testing doesn't specify whether more individuals are using meth or if existing users are consuming larger quantities. However, the data underscores a pressing need for community engagement and comprehensive support systems to address this escalating issue.
