Dr van der Sanden says the availability of MDMA\/ecstasy has looked increasingly stable in recent years in New Zealand.<\/p>\n
\u201cNearly three quarters of 2024 and 2025 respondents who used MDMA\/ecstasy reported it\u2019s \u2018easy\u2019 or \u2018very easy\u2019 to obtain in their region, compared to just over a quarter reporting the opposite. Similarly, the proportion of respondents reporting LSD\/psychedelics are \u2018very easy\u2019 to get has been trending upwards since 2020.\u201d<\/p>\n
While MDMA availability remains high, MDMA use and purchasing is infrequent compared to methamphetamine, suggesting lower levels of dependency and harm. Dr van der Sanden says MDMA\/ecstasy is one of a growing range of \u2018party drugs\u2019 available in Aotearoa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe \u2018party drug\u2019 scene has undergone a great deal of change in the last few years, with alternatives like cocaine and ketamine becoming more available across the country, meaning that people increasingly have access to a wider range of drug types, and are able to pick and choose the one\u2019s they prefer.\u201d<\/p>\n
This NZDTS release also provides the first insight into recreational use of ketamine, highlighting its increasingly availability in the local \u2018party drug\u2019 scene. Dr van der Sanden says ketamine \u2013 a dissociative drug with legitimate medical uses as an anaesthetic \u2013 is increasing in availability. 2025 price data indicates it\u2019s one of the more affordable \u2018party drugs\u2019, sitting at a national average of $200 per gram.<\/p>\n
\u201cKetamine has emerged globally in recent years, and seems to be carving out a niche for itself alongside other \u2018mainstream\u2019 illegal drugs like MDMA, cocaine and methamphetamine, which suggests it\u2019s becoming an established drug in its own right.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2025 findings show that ketamine use varied substantially by region, with higher use in Otago and Wellington.<\/p>\n
\u201cInternational evidence suggests recreational ketamine use tends to be concentrated among younger age groups. Respondents who use ketamine also reported a younger median age compared to users of other drug types, and a higher proportion reported they were a student, which helps to explain why ketamine use might be higher in regions with high student populations.\u201d<\/p>\n
The NZDTS is conducted by the NZ Drugs Research Team at Massey\u2019s SHORE & Whariki 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.<\/p>\n
The 2025 NZDTS was completed by 8,883 New Zealanders, with surveys conducted between 9 May and 6 Oct 2025.<\/p>\n