New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme

The Needle Exchange Programme supports people who inject drugs across the motu. They provide access to needles, syringes and other equipment to reduce harm. They also inform and educate to support safe injecting practice, safer drug use and improving health and wellbeing.

Harm reduction

Needle and syringe programmes are important for harm reduction. They use an empathetic and non-judgemental approach, working with people where they are at and however they understand their drug use.

Drug users who inject experience stigma and discrimination. This often presents a barrier to accessing services.

Many staff and volunteers of the programme have current or past experience with injecting drugs.

Needle exchanges are a safe space and an important source of information and advice.

Help and advice

Needle exchanges offer free help and advice to injecting drug users about health issues. Advice or information given is not designed to replace that of health or legal professionals. But it is offered as a more user friendly, realistic and practical nature.

Needle exchanges do not offer treatment for addiction problems, but are able to give an overview of services available in various regions of the country.

They also help people find assistance that is most appropriate to them, from a range of community based services, such as detoxification and methadone, through to more intensive residential-based services.

New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme resources and live chat (external link)

Getting help with alcohol or drug addiction

Needle exchange outlets

Needle exchange outlets provide for the safe disposal of used needles and syringes.

Find a needle exchange outlet — New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme (external link)

Last updated: 3 May 2024