The rate of cannabis possession charges in New Zealand has approximately tripled over the past five years, raising concerns among experts and prompting scrutiny of police practices. Analysis of police and court data indicates a significant increase in prosecutions for cannabis use and possession, despite no official changes in charging policies or government directives.
In 2021, over 3,000 police proceedings related to cannabis use or possession occurred, with only about 10% of those cases resulting in prosecution. By July 2025, the charge rate for cannabis offenses had risen to 32%, more than three times the earlier figure. Similarly, prosecutions for methamphetamine use and possession increased sharply, with charge rates climbing to 79% in 2025 compared to 46% in 2021.
Court records corroborate this trend, showing a 71% rise in cannabis use/possession charges between the 2021/22 and 2025/26 periods. The number of individuals charged went up by 81%, while convictions grew by 84%. Despite the increase in prosecutions, imprisonment specifically for cannabis possession remains rare; in 2025/26, only three people received custodial sentences solely for cannabis offenses. However, 360 individuals were sentenced to prison for multiple offenses including cannabis use or possession, doubling from 177 in 2021/22.
The New Zealand Drug Foundation has criticized the increased enforcement, labeling it a misallocation of police resources. Executive Director Sarah Helm highlighted that policing cannabis offenses constitutes a substantial portion of drug-related charges and argued that relying on criminal sanctions diverts attention and funding from more pressing public health needs. She emphasized that criminal convictions can negatively impact employment opportunities and discourage users from seeking support.
Research from Massey University suggests that cannabis is relatively less harmful compared with other drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine, ketamine, and alcohol. The Ministry of Health’s annual survey estimates that approximately 610,000 New Zealanders used cannabis in the past year, with 201,000 reporting weekly use.
The rise in charges marks a reversal of trends observed following a 2019 law reform aimed at reducing prosecution for drug use when therapeutic approaches are preferable for public interest. Between 2019 and 2021/22, the number of cannabis possession charges declined significantly before rebounding.
Disparities in prosecution rates among ethnic groups are also highlighted. For the fourth consecutive year, more Māori have been charged and convicted for cannabis offenses than European New Zealanders, despite Māori making up a smaller proportion of the population. This widening gap has raised concerns about potential systemic bias.
Data obtained under the Official Information Act illustrates that gang members face substantially higher rates of prosecution for drug offenses. For individuals listed on the National Gang List (NGL), over 90% of cannabis and methamphetamine cases result in charges, with rates increasing in recent years. However, police officials, including Inspector Wayne Gray of the National Gang Unit, deny any deliberate shift in prosecuting gang members, stating that gang affiliation is not a factor in charge decisions but can influence sentencing severity. Police efforts continue to focus on disrupting gang-related drug supply and associated criminal activities.
Police explanations for the rise in cannabis prosecutions have included citations of increased consumption based on wastewater testing, though figures for cannabis specifically are not publicly available through this method. Meanwhile, official health survey data suggests a decline in weekly cannabis users, although consumption per user may have increased.
New Zealand Police declined to comment specifically on the role gang member prosecutions may play in overall charge increases or to clarify discrepancies between consumption and usage data.
As the police face financial pressures, including a recent $50 million annual budget boost intended to maintain frontline services, questions remain about the long-term effectiveness and efficiency of current drug enforcement strategies in addressing substance use in New Zealand communities.