Rotorua retailer charged over illegal nangs sales after police warnings

NZ Herald

4 Mar, 2026 05:41 AMQuick Read

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Nitrous oxide canisters, also known as nangs.

A Rotorua vendor who allegedly continued selling nitrous oxide canisters, commonly known as nangs, despite repeated warnings is facing up to two years in prison.

Police said the man could also be fined up to $500,000.

Bay of Plenty district commander Superintendent Will Loughrin said the retailer showed a “complete
disregard for the law” by allegedly continuing to sell the substance “for recreational use” despite multiple police warnings.

“We took a planned prevention approach, and this shows that if retailers ignore us, we will follow through with enforcement action,” he said, adding that around 300 canisters were seized.

Loughrin said the man is the first retailer in the region to be charged under the Psychoactive Substances Act.