The Drug Foundation wants urgent action, with meth and cocaine consumption reaching record levels. 

Police wastewater testing between June and September reveals levels of both drugs were at the highest volumes recorded since the programme began six years ago. 

Chief Executive Sarah Helm says harm reduction, addiction and acute healthcare services all need to be prepared for an increase in need. 

She told Heather du Plessis-Allan they’ve been hearing anecdotally that there hasn’t been a growth in the number of people consuming the drugs – meaning there’s potentially a small number of people consuming a lot more of it.  

Helm says they’re really concerned we’ll be seeing a very acute harm, with hospitalisations, psychosis, heart health issues, and a growth in addiction. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Drug Foundation wants urgent action, with meth and cocaine consumption reaching record levels.&nbsp;
Police wastewater testing between June and September reveals levels of both drugs were at the highest volumes recorded since the programme began six years ago.&nbsp;
Chief Executive Sarah Helm says harm reduction, addiction and acute healthcare services all need to be prepared for an increase in need.&nbsp;
She told Heather du Plessis-Allan they’ve been hearing anecdotally that there hasn’t been a growth in the number of people consuming the drugs – meaning there’s potentially a small number of people consuming a lot more of it. &nbsp;
Helm says they’re really concerned we’ll be seeing a very acute harm, with hospitalisations, psychosis, heart health issues, and a growth in addiction.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.

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The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more.

The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Sarah Helm: Drug Foundation CEO on the record levels of meth and cocaine consumption revealed by wastewater testing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c9ad88b3-6f97-41e3-ae45-b2430146d353/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 15th of September, we've got good news across the board with tourism numbers passing pre-Covid levels, net migration doubling, and the services sector seeing the strongest result in more than two years. 

Is the UK about to split up? Leaders of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have met to discuss their right to seek independence. 

The G.O.A.T snowboarder and arguably the greatest snow sports athlete, Shaun White is winging his way here to launch his new competition in Cardrona. 

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 15th of September, we've got good news across the board with <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/louise-upston-tourism-minister-on-july-visitor-numbers-surpassing-pre-covid-levels/">tourism numbers passing pre-Covid levels</a>, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/tobias-tohill-uvisa-immigration-advisor-on-net-migration-hitting-highest-level-in-two-years-at-20-300/">net migration doubling</a>, and the services sector seeing the strongest result in more than two years.&nbsp;
Is the UK about to split up? <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/anand-menon-kings-college-european-politics-and-foreign-affairs-professor-on-the-leaders-of-wales-scotland-and-northern-ireland-pushing-for-independence-from-uk/">Leaders of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland</a> have met to discuss their right to seek independence.&nbsp;
The G.O.A.T snowboarder and arguably the greatest snow sports athlete, Shaun White is winging his way here to launch his new competition in Cardrona.&nbsp;
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 15 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/542c9860-e001-44b2-b01b-b4c5015d7444/transcript

There's a view friction will linger in the United Kingdom as the leaders from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland want out.  

The three first ministers have signed an agreement overnight, declaring no Westminister government has the right to block democracy. 

It's the first time they've shared the stance since the UK devolution began, with Scotland and Northern Ireland calling for referendums.  

King's College European Politics and Foreign Affairs Professor Anand Menon told Mike Hosking these political parties benefit when there's tension with London.  

He expects the rumbling of discontent to continue as long as this persists, as the leaders opt for political gains. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

There's a view friction will linger in the United Kingdom as the leaders from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland want out. &nbsp;
The three first ministers have signed an agreement overnight, declaring no Westminister government has the right to block democracy.&nbsp;
It's the first time they've shared the stance since the UK devolution began, with Scotland and Northern Ireland calling for referendums. &nbsp;
King's College European Politics and Foreign Affairs Professor Anand Menon told Mike Hosking these political parties benefit when there's tension with London. &nbsp;
He expects the rumbling of discontent to continue as long as this persists, as the leaders opt for political gains.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Anand Menon: King's College European Politics and Foreign Affairs Professor on the leaders of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland pushing for independence from UK

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3c0570ed-8cf1-4d63-a01b-b4c501618a3c/transcript

High prices and challenging conditions are fuelling uncertainty in the global dairy market.  

Rabobank's latest report shows global milk production growth has slowed to 1.4% year-on-year – its weakest since early 2025. 

Fonterra Co-operative Council Chair John Stevenson told Mike Hosking overseas weather patterns have constrained feed supply, and now the super El Niño could be upon us.  

He says farmers are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best, but a prolonged dry spell would certainly hit New Zealand's milk production. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

High prices and challenging conditions are fuelling uncertainty in the global dairy market. &nbsp;
Rabobank's latest report shows global milk production growth has slowed to 1.4% year-on-year – its weakest since early 2025.&nbsp;
Fonterra Co-operative Council Chair John Stevenson told Mike Hosking overseas weather patterns have constrained feed supply, and now the super El Niño could be upon us. &nbsp;
He says farmers are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best, but a prolonged dry spell would certainly hit New Zealand's milk production.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

John Stevenson: Fonterra Co-operative Council Chair on global milk production growth slowing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/093eb6f1-204f-4797-9d4c-b4c5015da35e/transcript

Sarah Helm: Drug Foundation CEO on the record levels of meth and cocaine consumption revealed by wastewater testing

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