Methamphetamine Harm and Council Response in the Far North
Dan Tasman made this Official Information request to Far North District Council
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From: Dan Tasman
Dear Far North District Council,
I am writing to request information regarding the Far North District Council’s role in responding to methamphetamine-related harm in the community. This issue has had a profound impact on whanau and communities across Northland, and I am seeking to better understand the Council’s responsibilities, actions, and partnerships in this area.
Specifically, I request copies of any current strategy documents, internal policies, or frameworks held by the Council that refer to methamphetamine use, substance harm reduction, or community wellbeing initiatives that relate to drug use. I am also requesting details of any correspondence—written or electronic—between the Council and other organisations, including New Zealand Police, Health New Zealand, the Ministry of Health, Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry of Justice, or local iwi or hapū authorities, which discuss methamphetamine use, addiction services, enforcement, or drug harm reduction efforts in the Far North. Please include correspondence from 1 January 2022 to the present.
Further, I am seeking information on any Council-led or Council-funded programmes or services that aim to address methamphetamine harm or provide addiction support. For each initiative, please provide the name of the programme, the funding allocated (by year, if possible), any delivery partners involved, and any available outcome or performance data. If the Council has participated in public consultation, hosted hui, or facilitated community engagement activities relating to methamphetamine use, crime, or addiction support during this timeframe, I would appreciate access to the relevant records or summaries.
Lastly, I request copies of any formal submissions, letters, or advocacy efforts made by the Far North District Council to central government or its agencies that address drug-related harm, AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug) service funding, or the wider impacts of methamphetamine use on the wellbeing of communities in the district.
Yours faithfully,
Dan Tasman
From: Ask Us Team
Far North District Council
Thank you for reaching out to the Far North District Council.
We have received your message. A member of our customer service team will
issue a reference number for your enquiry within 5 working days.
If your matter is urgent, you can contact our Contact Centre at 0800 920
029, which operates 24 hours a day.
You can also find what you are looking for by visiting our website:
www.fndc.govt.nz
Kind regards
Ask Us Customer Services Team
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This is an automated reply
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From: Ask Us Team
Far North District Council
Kia ora Dan,
Thank you for reaching out to the Far North District Council.
Your request has been forwarded to our Legal Services Department for
action and response. Should you need to follow up on this matter, please
use reference number RFS-4248276
If your matter is urgent, you can contact our Contact Centre at 0800 920
029, which operates 24 hours a day.
Nga mihi,
Lexus
Ask Us Customer Services Team
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This is an automated reply.
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From: [FOI #30767 email]
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2025 6:07 PM
To: [Far North District Council request email]
Subject: Official Information request - Methamphetamine Harm and Council
Response in the Far North
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Dear Far North District Council,
I am writing to request information regarding the Far North District
Council’s role in responding to methamphetamine-related harm in the
community. This issue has had a profound impact on whanau and communities
across Northland, and I am seeking to better understand the Council’s
responsibilities, actions, and partnerships in this area.
Specifically, I request copies of any current strategy documents, internal
policies, or frameworks held by the Council that refer to methamphetamine
use, substance harm reduction, or community wellbeing initiatives that
relate to drug use. I am also requesting details of any
correspondence—written or electronic—between the Council and other
organisations, including New Zealand Police, Health New Zealand, the
Ministry of Health, Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry of Justice, or local iwi
or hapū authorities, which discuss methamphetamine use, addiction
services, enforcement, or drug harm reduction efforts in the Far North.
Please include correspondence from 1 January 2022 to the present.
Further, I am seeking information on any Council-led or Council-funded
programmes or services that aim to address methamphetamine harm or provide
addiction support. For each initiative, please provide the name of the
programme, the funding allocated (by year, if possible), any delivery
partners involved, and any available outcome or performance data. If the
Council has participated in public consultation, hosted hui, or
facilitated community engagement activities relating to methamphetamine
use, crime, or addiction support during this timeframe, I would appreciate
access to the relevant records or summaries.
Lastly, I request copies of any formal submissions, letters, or advocacy
efforts made by the Far North District Council to central government or
its agencies that address drug-related harm, AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug)
service funding, or the wider impacts of methamphetamine use on the
wellbeing of communities in the district.
Yours faithfully,
Dan Tasman
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From: Erica Cooney
Far North District Council
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Dear Requester
By Email Only: [1][FOI #30767 email]
Tēnā koe,
Official information request: RFS 4248276
Thank you for your official information request to the Far North District
Council (‘Council’), received on 18^th April 2025. Your request has been
considered in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government
Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (the ‘LGOIMA’).
Your request
“Dear Far North District Council,
I am writing to request information regarding the Far North District
Council’s role in responding to methamphetamine-related harm in the
community. This issue has had a profound impact on whanau and communities
across Northland, and I am seeking to better understand the Council’s
responsibilities, actions, and partnerships in this area.
Specifically, I request copies of any current strategy documents, internal
policies, or frameworks held by the Council that refer to methamphetamine
use, substance harm reduction, or community wellbeing initiatives that
relate to drug use. I am also requesting details of any
correspondence—written or electronic—between the Council and other
organisations, including New Zealand Police, Health New Zealand, the
Ministry of Health, Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry of Justice, or local iwi
or hapū authorities, which discuss methamphetamine use, addiction
services, enforcement, or drug harm reduction efforts in the Far North.
Please include correspondence from 1 January 2022 to the present.
Further, I am seeking information on any Council-led or Council-funded
programmes or services that aim to address methamphetamine harm or provide
addiction support. For each initiative, please provide the name of the
programme, the funding allocated (by year, if possible), any delivery
partners involved, and any available outcome or performance data. If the
Council has participated in public consultation, hosted hui, or
facilitated community engagement activities relating to methamphetamine
use, crime, or addiction support during this timeframe, I would appreciate
access to the relevant records or summaries.
Lastly, I request copies of any formal submissions, letters, or advocacy
efforts made by the Far North District Council to central government or
its agencies that address drug-related harm, AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug)
service funding, or the wider impacts of methamphetamine use on the
wellbeing of communities in the district.”
Council’s response
· Currently, Council does not have information relating to
mitigation/intervention strategies to help address harm caused by
methamphetamine use in the community.
· Most of the information Council holds relevant to your request
relates to harm associated with alcohol in the Far North District. Council
attends multi-agency meetings with Health agencies and the New Zealand
Police, with the focus of those discussions being related to the impacts
of alcohol and Council’s legislated role in that space. Council reviewed
its Alcohol Control Bylaw in 2023 and is in the process of engaging the
community on both the Alcohol Control Areas (Alcohol Ban Areas) and
potential components of a Local Alcohol Policy.
· Please refer to the following links which you may find helpful.
[2]Have your say on the Alcohol Control Bylaw | Far North District Council
[3]Let’s talk about alcohol in our community - survey now open | Far North
District Council
[4]Microsoft Word - FAQ - Alcohol Projects
[5]Far North District Council alcohol survey
[6]Alcohol | Far North District Council
[7]Alcohol Control Bylaw | Far North District Council - The Alcohol
Control Bylaw is enforced by the Police. Within the alcohol control areas,
Police have the power to:
o Search peoples’ vehicles, bags and packages for alcohol
o Seize and remove any alcohol
o Ask offenders to leave an alcohol control area
o Issue infringement notices to offenders with a fine of $250
o Arrest those who commit offences or refuse to comply with police
requests.
The Police have complete discretion to enforce the bylaw. They are not
obliged to act if they witness alcohol consumption which they do not
consider involves actual or potential alcohol-related crime and disorder.
[8]Alcohol Control Bylaw | Far North District Council
o Continuing the bylaw was strongly supported by the Police and Te Whatu
Ora (Ngā Tai Ora – Public Health Northland)
· Council is not aware of any Council-led or Council-funded
programmes / services that have addressed methamphetamine harm or provided
addiction support.
· Council has participated in public consultation in respect of its
Alcohol Control Bylaw - which seeks to reduce crime, disorder and
incidents of harm due to the consumption of alcohol in public places.
· Council notes that it has a Psychoactive Substances (Local Approved
Products) Policy – last reviewed in 2021. This policy is regarding any
potential legal psychoactive substances the Government might allow to be
sold in shops. E.g., party pills, synthetic cannabis. (Council notes that
nothing is currently legalised.) Please refer to Council’s website by
using the following link:
[9]psychoactive-substances-local-approved-products-policy-2014.pdf.
· Elected Members also recently resolved to start developing a
Smokefree / Vapefree policy.
To the extent that the requested information has not been provided,
Council must rely upon section 17(e) of the LGOIMA – that is, “that the
document alleged to contain the information requested does not exist, or
despite reasonable efforts to locate it, cannot be found”.
You have the right to seek a review of this decision by the Ombudsman if
you so choose. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[10]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or Freephone 0800 802 602.
Thank you for your enquiry. Please feel free to contact us if you require
any further information in respect of this request.
Nāku noa, nā
Te Kaunihera o Te Hiku o te Ika | Far
North District Council
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Pokapū Kōrero 24-hāora | 24-hour
Contact Centre 0800 920 029
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References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #30767 email]
2. https://www.fndc.govt.nz/tr/your-council...
3. https://www.fndc.govt.nz/council/Latest-...
4. https://www.fndc.govt.nz/__data/assets/p...
5. https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/885ca...
6. https://www.fndc.govt.nz/services/licenc...
7. https://www.fndc.govt.nz/Council/Council...
8. https://www.fndc.govt.nz/Services/Licenc...
9. https://www.fndc.govt.nz/__data/assets/p...
10. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
11. https://www.fndc.govt.nz/home
12. https://www.facebook.com/FarNorthDistric...
13. FNDC Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/FarNorthDistric...
14. https://nz.linkedin.com/company/far-nort...
15. FNDC LinkedIn
https://nz.linkedin.com/company/far-nort...
16. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRbGkKa...
17. FNDC YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRbGkKa...
18. https://www.instagram.com/farnorth_dc/
From: Dan Tasman
Dear Erica Cooney,
Thank you for your response.
However, I find it deeply concerning - and frankly unacceptable - that despite the well-documented methamphetamine crisis in Te Tai Tokerau, the Far North District Council holds no strategy, policies, or funded programmes directly addressing methamphetamine harm.
This absence of action stands in stark contrast to the widespread impact meth has on our whānau, communities, and public safety. While I acknowledge Council’s work on alcohol-related harm, I find it troubling that methamphetamine - arguably the more destructive issue in our rohe - has been met with silence or relegated to other agencies.
To claim no relevant information exists (section 17(e)) is not just a bureaucratic formality - it’s an indictment of the current priorities. The community sees the harm. The question is: why hasn’t Council?
I urge the Council to clarify:
- Why methamphetamine harm has not been addressed in any local policy frameworks or programmes.
- Whether there are plans to include meth-specific harm reduction in upcoming strategies.
- How Council intends to ensure equitable health and wellbeing outcomes, especially in areas disproportionately affected by meth-related harm.
This issue cannot be side-lined any longer. We need leadership, not excuses.
Yours sincerely,
Dan Tasman
From: Erica Cooney
Far North District Council
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Kia ora requester
· Far North District Council (‘Council’) agrees that the
methamphetamine problem in Te Tai Tokerau is very concerning. Council does
not minimise the harmful effects of this destructive drug in the
community.
· Addressing the challenges of methamphetamine in Te Tai Tokerau is
led by NZ Police and Health NZ, with the endorsement and support of
Council. NZ Police and Health NZ are the legislated agencies tasked with
working to address this problem in the District.
· Council does not have the legal mandate to drive programmes and
strategies related to methamphetamine issues, however, should NZ Police
and Health NZ require Council’s assistance - including in relation to
meth-specific harm reduction strategies, then Council would consider
providing this if it is able to do so.
Nga mihi,
Te Kaunihera o Te Hiku o te Ika | Far
North District Council
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Pokapū Kōrero 24-hāora | 24-hour
Contact Centre 0800 920 029
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From: Dan Tasman
Dear Erica Cooney,
Thank you for your response to my earlier request, and for acknowledging the significance of methamphetamine-related harm in Te Tai Tokerau.
Legal mandate is not the ceiling for action - it’s the floor.
As a voice for the people of the Far North, the Council has
- Political influence to advocate for change.
- Moral responsibility to reflect the lived realities of its communities.
- Discretionary funding it can allocate to wellbeing, community safety, or partnerships.
- Community convening power to bring together iwi, health providers, Police, and whānau.
I am seeking information about the political will, discretionary capacity, and advocacy role the Council has or could have in this space. Specifically, I request:
- Any internal communications, briefing notes, meeting minutes, or strategy discussions (from 1 January 2022 to present) that consider or refer to the Council's discretionary role, political positioning, or funding capacity to support methamphetamine harm reduction efforts - even if such efforts are not legislatively mandated.
- Any correspondence or meeting records between FNDC and external stakeholders (e.g. iwi, community organisations, or central government agencies) that discuss FNDC’s potential to support, fund, or advocate for methamphetamine-focused initiatives or inter-agency partnerships.
- Any examples of past or present programmes, community initiatives, or pilot projects supported by FNDC that relate to public health, harm reduction, or community safety, which fall outside of a strict statutory mandate - including alcohol, housing, mental health, or youth engagement - as a benchmark for how FNDC exercises discretion and moral leadership.
- Any current or upcoming strategic planning documents or draft policy frameworks where methamphetamine harm is identified as a possible future area of concern, collaboration, or advocacy.
As methamphetamine continues to severely impact the wellbeing of whānau across the Far North, I believe Council leadership - even symbolic or facilitative - remains critical.
Yours sincerely,
Dan Tasman
From: Erica Cooney
Far North District Council
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Dear Requester
By Email Only: [1][FOI #30767 email]
Tçnâ koe,
Official information request: RFS 4252935
Thank you for your new information request to the Far North District
Council (‘Council’) received today, and again relating to “Council’s role
in responding to methamphetamine-related harm in the community”. A new RFS
(RFS 4252935) has been created to reflect the further information sought.
This request has been referred to the relevant Council department for
consideration in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government
Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (the ‘LGOIMA’). A response will
be provided to you as soon as reasonably practicable, and no later than 20
working days (as defined in the LGOIMA) after the day on which the request
is received.
Please quote our reference RFS 4252935 for any further enquiries in
relation to this request.
Thank you for your enquiry.
Nâku noa, nâ
Te Kaunihera o Te Hiku o te Ika | Far
North District Council
----------------------------------------
Pokapû Kôrero 24-hâora | 24-hour
Contact Centre 0800 920 029
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References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #30767 email]
2. https://www.fndc.govt.nz/home
3. https://www.facebook.com/FarNorthDistric...
4. FNDC Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/FarNorthDistric...
5. https://nz.linkedin.com/company/far-nort...
6. FNDC LinkedIn
https://nz.linkedin.com/company/far-nort...
7. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRbGkKa...
8. FNDC YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRbGkKa...
9. https://www.instagram.com/farnorth_dc/
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