Is Ketamine legal in New Zealand?
- Legal status
- Class C controlled drug — Schedule 3 Part 4 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (added by the Misuse of Drugs (Classification of Ketamine) Order 2009, in force 1 Dec 2010).
- Consequences if caught
- Possession up to 3 months' imprisonment; supply or dealing up to 8 years; a presumption of supply applies at 10 g or more.
- If prescribed or medical
- A listed prescription medicine (anaesthetic).
- Documentation
- Possession is an offence, but since the 2019 amendment (Sec 7(5)–(6)) Police exercise discretion toward a health-centred approach for personal use — more warnings and fewer prosecutions, criticized as a 'postcode lottery'. A presumption of supply applies above 28 g of cannabis or 5 g of methamphetamine. Medical cannabis is available by prescription under the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme (2019/2020) following the 2018 palliative exemption. A 2020 recreational-legalization referendum was narrowly rejected (50.7% no). Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, Schedule 3 Part 4
- legislation.govt.nz
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with New Zealand’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →