Employers are facing increasing and shifting substance use risks across New Zealand’s regions, according to a recent quarterly report from The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA).
TDDA recommends that companies review and update substance use policies at the start of the year, ensure pre-employment testing is embedded into recruitment processes, and maintain regular random testing programmes. That’s based on the results published in its most recent quarterly workplace drug trends report.
The company, which provides a workplace substance testing, education and policy service, found:
- Cocaine detections rose sharply by 148% quarter-on-quarter, now present in 3.7% of positive tests (up from 1.5% in Q3 2025).
- Cannabis remains the most prevalent substance, present in 67.5% of positive tests, easing 3.6% from its Q3 peak.
- Amphetamine-type substances (ATS) were present in 24.5% of positive tests (up 1.2% from Q3).
Regionally, it reported, trends are diverging. Cocaine rose sharply in Bay of Plenty, Auckland West and Waikato, ATS increased across several regions, while cannabis eased in many areas after its Q3 peak, with some rebound in Gisborne and Canterbury.
Quarterly results
In Q4 2025, 4.01% of screens conducted by TDDA indicated the presence of drugs (Q3: 3.75%). Although cannabis remains the most prevalent substance detected in workplace drug testing, detections of it eased in many regions following a Q3 peak, and ATS detections reflected a modest quarter-on-quarter increase.
“We warned employers in previous quarters that cocaine use was increasing across the nation, and Q4 data shows that this trend nearly doubled over the festive season.”
Among all positive TDDA results, the most prevalent substances detected were:
- Cannabis: present in 67.5% of positive tests, down 3.6% from 71.1% in Q3 2025.
- ATS, including methamphetamine: present in 24.5% of positive tests, up 1.2% from 23.2% in Q3 2025.
- Opioids, including oxycodone: present in 18.6% of positive tests, up 0.02% from 18.6% in Q3 2025.
- Benzodiazepines: present in 2.9% of positive tests, up 0.7% from 2.2% in Q3 2025.
- Cocaine: present in 3.7% of positive tests, up 2.2% from 1.5% in Q3 2025.
The data points to three broad shifts in substance use patterns nationwide: (i) increasing regional divergence in amphetamine-type substances (ATS), (ii) easing THC (Cannabis) detections after a Q3 peak, and (iii) a concerning rise in cocaine, significantly in Bay of Plenty, Auckland West and Waikato.
“We warned employers in previous quarters that cocaine use was increasing across the nation, and Q4 data shows that this trend nearly doubled over the festive season,” said Glenn Dobson, CEO of TDDA.
“This increase was particularly evident in Bay of Plenty, Auckland West, and Waikato. Businesses in the Bay of Plenty area need to take action immediately, as cocaine detections, which barely registered previously, rose to 9% of positive tests.
“Cocaine causes overconfidence, reduces focus and concentration, correlates with bad judgement and causes erratic behaviour. If you’re doing business in an affected region, employee education and testing are immediately advised. There’s significant risk for businesses with heavy machinery, you don’t want your workers operating chainsaws while on cocaine.”
Regional highlights
Q4 data shows that drug trends are increasingly diverging by region. ATS recorded sharp increases, particularly in Auckland West, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Northland, Southland, and Wellington, while easing in some areas including Canterbury, Manawatū-Whanganui and Taranaki.
Cannabis detections declined in many regions after peaking in Q3, although some areas, including Gisborne and Canterbury, experienced a bounce-back. Opioids use also increased across multiple regions, especially in Otago, Taranaki, Tasman and Wellington, reinforcing the need for closer monitoring.
“When growth in detection continues across successive quarters, or when drug trends change significantly, it’s a signal employers shouldn’t ignore.”
“What this data reinforces is the need to stay proactive,” said Dobson. “As the year gets underway and businesses recruit, onboard new staff, or adjust workforce needs, clear expectations become critical.
“Fit-for-purpose substance use policies, supported by pre-employment testing, regular testing programmes, and ongoing training and education, help organisations manage risk early and prevent issues from arising on the job.”
Recommendations
“When growth in detection continues across successive quarters, or when drug trends change significantly, it’s a signal employers shouldn’t ignore,” Dobson said.
“As summer months continue past the holidays, the priority is stopping trends from becoming established behaviours in your workplace. That requires clear expectations through policy, consistent testing, and early intervention, particularly as people move into new roles or return to work after long weekends.”
According to TDDA, employers should review and update substance use policies at the start of the year, ensure pre-employment testing is clearly embedded into recruitment processes, and maintain regular and random testing programmes.
They also recommend that employers invest in training and education to empower managers to identify when testing is appropriate, particularly following extended leave periods or during onboarding.
With people moving between roles and workplaces, a proactive approach to policy review, pre-employment testing, and workforce education can help employers reduce risk, protect their people, and maintain safe workplaces throughout the year.
Methodology
Tests from 27 sterile clinic locations and over 60 mobile clinics throughout New Zealand were used. All tests were taken between 1 October and 31 December 2025. Data from preemployment, post incident, regular and random testing was combined. Testing methods included urine and oral fluid screening.
Data is anonymised and aggregated using TDDA’s Imperans system, an IT platform for testing services, data recording, and reporting. The company tests for amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates and opioids, cannabis, and synthetic drugs.
