133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
20 May 2025
Dan Tasman
By email: [FYI request #30770 email]
Ref:
H2025065755
Tēnā koe Dan
Response to your request for official information Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 18 April 2025 for information about the Ministry of
Health’s role in addressing methamphetamine-related harm in the Northland region.
The Ministry is the government’s lead advisor on health priorities and policy. On an issue such
as methamphetamine-related harm, we collaborate with the addiction sector and across
government. Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, is the agency that provides or contracts
services and has a regional presence.
In your request you ask about the Ministry’s strategies. For context, the Ministry is currently
developing a Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy as required by the Pae Ora (Healthy
Futures) Act 2022. This strategy will provide a long-term vision for mental health and addiction
and steer the activities of health entities that support the mental health of New Zealanders.
Public consultation on the strategy will be undertaken in the coming months. Information will be
available on the Ministry website about how people can get involved in the public consultation in
due course:
www.health.govt.nz
In relation to your specific request, I have addressed each of your questions below:
1. I would like to request copies of any internal reports, policy documents, or briefing
materials prepared by or for the Ministry of Health since 1 January 2022 that refer to
methamphetamine use, dependence, or associated health harm in Northland. This
includes documentation on regional addiction trends, service gaps, equity
considerations, and health system planning responses specific to Northland.
The Ministry does not hold internal reports, policy documents or briefing materials solely related
to the Northland region on the topics of regional addiction trends, service gaps, equity
considerations and health system planning responses. Therefore, this part of your request is
refused under section 18(g)(i) of the Act, as the information requested is not held by Manatū
Hauora and there are no grounds for believing connected more closely with the functions with
another agency subject to the Act.
Wastewater testing detects the presence of illicit drugs. You can view the information on
wastewater testing to detect illicit drug consumption on the Institute of Environmental Science and
Research (ESR) website. For example, the following link contains analysis on illicit drug use
compared by settlement si
ze: www.esr.cri.nz/digital-library/illicit-drug-consumption-estimated-
using-wastewater-analysis-and-compared-by-settlement-size-in-new-zealand/.
2.
I also request details on funding allocated by the Ministry since 1 January 2022 for
addiction services in Northland, specifically services addressing methamphetamine or
stimulant use. Please include any funding directed to primary health organisations,
NGOs, kaupapa Maori services, or other contracted providers, along with the name of
the service, location, and amount funded.
Funding of services addressing methamphetamine or stimulant use is the responsibility of
Health New Zealand. On 12 May 2025, this part of your request was transferred to Health New
Zealand. You can expect a response from Health New Zealand in due course, and they can be
contacted on:
[email address].
3. In addition, I am seeking copies of correspondence between the Ministry of Health and
other relevant agencies or stakeholders - including Health New Zealand, NZ Police,
the Department of Corrections, Far North District Council, or local iwi authorities -
relating to methamphetamine-related harm, service delivery, or inter-agency
collaboration in Northland.
The Ministry does not have correspondence solely related to methamphetamine harm, service
delivery or inter-agency collaboration in Northland with the agencies you have listed. Therefore,
this part of your request is refused under section 18(g)(i) of the Act, as the information
requested is not held by Manatū Hauora and there are no grounds for believing connected more
closely with the functions with another agency subject to the Act.
4.
Lastly, I request information on any public health campaigns, community programmes,
or education initiatives supported or commissioned by the Ministry that specifically
address methamphetamine harm in Northland during this period. Please include any
evaluations, uptake data, or outcome summaries if available.”
On 12 May 2025, this part of your request was transferred to Health New Zealand. You can
expect a response from them in due course.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this decision, please feel
free to contact the OIA Services Team on:
[email address].
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-official-
information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Michael Woodside
Acting Associate Deputy Director-General Te Pou Whakakaha | Clinical, Community and Mental Health
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