Drug laws in New Zealand
It is illegal in New Zealand to take drugs that have not been prescribed by a doctor. To be safe and to have a great experience you must follow the law while you’re studying here.
Drugs are illegal
New Zealand has strict drug laws. However, as a country with many ports, illegal drugs from overseas do get through our borders. We class them by risk:
- Class A (very high risk) drugs include methamphetamine, magic mushrooms, cocaine, heroin, and LSD (Acid).
- Class B (high risk) drugs include cannabis oil, hashish, morphine, opium, ecstasy and many amphetamine-type substances.
- Class C (moderate risk) drugs include cannabis seed, cannabis plant, and codeine.
It is illegal to use, possess, grow, make, or traffic (deal) in these drugs. If you break the law, you could be fined, sent home or sent to jail(external link that opens in a new tab).
Possessing cannabis carries a fine of up to $500NZD and/or 3 months in jail. Growing, making and dealing in drugs all carry long prison sentences (in some cases for life). New Zealand police are friendly and professional.
You should know that they have the right to search you, your bag, and your car if they believe you have drugs or there are drugs where you are. They will only do this if they smell or see drugs on you, see you using drugs, or see that you’re high on drugs (sometimes people call this 'stoned').
Cannabis
Many countries have legalised cannabis such as Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and some states within the USA. Just remember, cannabis might be legal where you’re from, but it’s still illegal here.
Cannabis is the fourth-most widely used substance in New Zealand, after caffeine, alcohol and tobacco (all of these are legal).
Cannabis is also known in New Zealand as 'weed', 'pot', 'grass' and sometimes called 'mull', 'chronic', 'dak', 'hash', 'smoke', 'buds', 'skunk' or 'cabbage'. It comes in three main forms: marijuana, hashish and hash oil. Marijuana is the most common form of cannabis and it’s made up of dried leaves.
While cannabis is very common in New Zealand, it is illegal. If you’re caught with cannabis you can be fined $500NZD for possession, even if you only have a marijuana cigarette ('joint') on you.
In 2020, a referendum (a vote to decide on a particular policy) was held to give New Zealanders an opportunity to choose if cannabis should be legal for medical and personal use. It did not pass.
Tip: Cannabis is the most commonly used drug in New Zealand. You might see people smoking it at parties, bars and concerts but it’s still illegal! If you’re with people who want you to smoke cannabis with them, be smart – say no, and leave.
Other illegal drugs
Psychoactive substances are things you take that can affect the way your mind works. They can be found in cities across New Zealand and include party pills, herbal highs, and synthetic cannabis.
Synthetic drugs have similar effects to commonly known drugs but are more harmful and toxic. These drugs are made in laboratories. You should be aware that some people in New Zealand have died from taking them.
Tip: To find out about the effects of illegal drugs, how you can keep safer, signs of addiction and overdose and what to do if you or someone else is in trouble, check out the New Zealand Drug Foundations' Drug Index tool.(external link that opens in a new tab)