Detection thresholds for the DrugWipe 3S which is being used for saliva drug testing
J. P. W. Pitt made this Official Information request to New Zealand Police
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From: J. P. W. Pitt
Dear New Zealand Police,
I am a concerned resident of New Zealand and live in the Wellington region.
You have recently announced that the DrugWipe 3S will be used for road-side drug saliva testing, which is being trialled in Wellington this December 2025.
The law and demerit system has clear thresholds for impairment via alcohol, yet does not provide any thresholds for other substances. This makes it impossible to know what the law considers to impair driving, and it is now coupled to how a proprietary testing device behaves.
I believe it is in the public's interest - and I am requesting under the OIA - the purported detection thresholds, sensitivity, accuracy, specificity, false positive and false negative rate for the DrugWipe 3S against each substance it can detect.
This will allow the New Zealand public compare to the recommendations of the Independent Expert Panel published by the Ministry of Transport here: https://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/Upl...
Without this information citizens of New Zealand will be unable to determine exactly how long to wait after using a substance, before it is "safe" to drive according to the law.
Separately, I am also requesting how much each test is costing the tax payer.
Yours faithfully,
Joel Pitt, PhD
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Tēnā koe Joel,
I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request below.
Your reference number is IR-01-25-41908.
You can expect a response to your request on or before 16 March 2025 unless an extension is needed.
Ngā mihi
Jonelle|Advisor: Ministerial Services |(she/her)
Policy & Partnerships |Police National Headquarters |
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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Apologies Joel,
This is due to you by the 15 December 2025.
Jonelle|Advisor: Ministerial Services |(she/her)
Policy & Partnerships |Police National Headquarters |
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From: J. P. W. Pitt
Dear Ministerial Services,
I have not received a response to my request yet and it is now the end of business of the due date.
The roadside drug testing trial has begun.
It is important that the information is provided so the public can have faith in these devices - assuming the data supports the decision to use them...
Can you provide a new date for when to expect a response?
Yours sincerely,
J. P. W. Pitt
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Kia ora J. P. W. Pitt
I apologise for the lateness of the response to your OIA. A response has been drafted and is proceeding through Police’s internal review and approval process. As Police are currently experiencing a high volume of requests, I am unable to confirm a release date at this stage, but I can assure you we are endeavouring to get this to you as soon as practicable. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this delay. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
Ngâ mihi,
Tracy
Senior Advisor | Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters
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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Tēnā koe Joel
Please find attached the response relating to your Official Information
Act request, received by Police on 17 November 2025.
Please accept our apologies for the delay in providing you with a response
to your request.
Ngā mihi
Lisa
Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters
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