Legal loophole around meth pipe sales ‘deeply concerning’, health minister seeks advice

Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Health Minister Simeon Brown has sought advice on tightening laws around meth pipe sales, including a potential crackdown on sale and importation.

Attention has been drawn to meth pipes being sold in $2 shops, vape stores and dairies. Whangārei local Jodie Rameka told RNZ she is campaigning to rid shops of the drug utensils, concerned the pipes were on open display around children and were contributing to Northland’s drug problem.

As it stands, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 considers it an offence to be in possession of drug utensils such as meth pipes for the purpose of using methamphetamine, but there is no offence under the act around their sale.

Brown said he has sought advice from the Ministry of Health on how the current settings operate and how enforcement is being applied.

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The ministry confirmed Brown has the power to prohibit the importation, supply, or possession for the purpose of sale or supply of drug utensils.

The act differs from the Misuse of Drugs (Prohibition of Utensils) Notice, where importing, selling or supplying bongs, hash pipes and meth pipes is illegal.

Brown described the legal loophole around pipe sales in the act as “deeply concerning”.

Brown’s office confirmed while he was seeking advice on tightening importation, customs responsibility currently sat with Customs Minister Casey Costello. However, it was hoped that making the sale illegal would significantly reduce the level of importation.

Costello said the Government had invested more than $100 million across the past two Budgets for Customs to combat drug smuggling, with meth a key focus.

Alongside stopping nearly 8.5 tonnes of meth from entering the country, Customs also stop certain illegal utensils – like meth pipes.

Last year, Customs seized more than 37,000 items of drug paraphernalia, and this year they have seized nearly 32,000.

“Of course, these are usually concealed or will be misrepresented as another product and part of legitimate shipments.”

Police Minister Mark Mitchell responded to the concerns following a visit to Northland over the weekend where the issue was raised, saying “you shouldn’t be able to sell meth-related paraphernalia for people to consume meth”.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told reporters this morning while he would consider making meth pipes illegal to sell, there were other issues which needed the Government’s attention more.

“Our focus is on making sure we actually get our border expanded out on the Pacific, make sure we smash up the distribution which is led by the gangs, and what do we get to support the people with better addictions services.”

Labour leader Chris Hipkins fully supported banning the sale of meth pipes if necessary.

“I think it is concerning that you can buy something that's effectively being sold as a meth pipe across the counter for a couple of dollars.”

“We've seen methamphetamine use in New Zealand double in the space of about 18 months. That's really concerning, and we do need to do a lot more about that, so, if there's a law change required, I'm very open to considering that.”

Green co-leader Marama Davidson said meth pipes should “absolutely” not be accessible. She also called for increased investment in social supports to minimise harm.

The Ministry of Health and police have been approached for comment.