Survey shows social media transforms drug buying as gangs rule meth in key regions

The latest findings from the New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey (NZDTS) have shed light on emerging digital retail drug markets, as well as gang control of meth and cannabis retail markets in certain regions.

The NZDTS provides an annual snapshot of drug trends in Aotearoa New Zealand and surveyed more than 10,000 people. The survey asks about drug use patterns, drug market prices, views on drug policy, help services, barriers to seeking help and harm reduction initiatives.

The latest findings show that one third (33 per cent) of meth buyers purchased from a gang member or gang associate, which was much higher than for cannabis (13 per cent), cocaine (six per cent), MDMA (five per cent) and LSD (three per cent). Rates of purchasing meth from a gang member were higher in the Southland/West Coast, Northland, Tasman/Nelson/Marlborough and Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay regions.

Professor Chris Wilkins of the New Zealand Drugs Research Team at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre says, “Gangs appear to be involved in all levels of the meth supply in Aotearoa New Zealand, from importation and wholesale distribution to retail sales. NZDTS results show they are more involved in retail meth sales in certain regions. This includes regions that are commonly associated with high meth use, such as the Upper and Central North Island and East Coast, but more surprisingly, Southland/West Coast and the Upper South Island. This suggests they may play a foundation role in methamphetamine supply, both dominating large markets and providing baseline supply in smaller markets.”

When meth buyers were asked about the market share gangs had in the meth markets, nearly 70 per cent in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay said one or two gangs dominated the meth market in these regions.

Survey findings also show that the rise in the use of social media and messaging apps to purchase drugs is consistent with overseas findings that point to the growing digitalisation of drug markets. The use of social media purchasing was seen for all drug types, particularly for cannabis and MDMA. For example, the proportion who purchased MDMA via social media and messaging apps increased from 13 per cent in 2020 to 24 per cent in 2024.

Dr Robin van der Sanden of the Drugs Research Team says, “Social media and messaging apps are increasingly used for drug transactions, largely because of convenience. Everyone has a smartphone with encrypted messaging apps and everyone uses social media, so its takes a lot of the legwork out of buying drugs when you can easily expand your local social networks and make new contacts via different secure apps.

The NZDTS is conducted by the New Zealand Drugs Research Team at Massey’s SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre. The Team consists of Professor Chris Wilkins, Associate Professor Marta Rychert, Dr Robin van der Sanden, Dr Jose Romeo and Thomas Graydon-Guy.

The 2024 NZDTS was completed by 10,781 New Zealanders between 20 February and 3 July 2024.

The research bulletins are available on the NZDTS website.