Is Methadone legal in New Zealand?
- Legal status
- Methadone is a Class B controlled drug (Misuse of Drugs Act 1975), also regulated under the Medicines Act 1981 — approved and fully funded for OST.
- Consequences if caught
- Class B possession up to 3 months; supply or dealing up to 14 years.
- If prescribed or medical
- Prescribed for OST via specialist services and authorised s24 prescribers (GPs, NPs, pharmacist prescribers); take-home permitted.
- Documentation
- Personal import up to a 1-month supply; carry an s22A/INCB certificate or prescription and declare it; confirm with Medsafe.
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 →