Shocked Mount Maunganui property owner’s warning after home tests positive for meth
A Mount Maunganui man selling his home spent thousands fixing it after learning it was contaminated with meth.
Now he’s warning buyers to get properties tested so they don’t fall into the same trap.
A shocked Jason Croad, who says he does not use drugs, told the Bay of Plenty Timeshe had no idea his apartment was contaminated until buyers asked for a toxicology report.
He never had the apartment tested when he bought it in 2021 and felt “cornered” when the report showed it was contaminated.
It cost him about $8000 to decontaminate the property before he sold it in August.
His experience comes as new police wastewater testing data reveals meth is still the most used drug in the Bay of Plenty.
Meth consumption in the Bay of Plenty had fallen from 1405mg each day per 1000 people in the first quarter to 1303mg between April and June, but it remained higher than MDMA and cocaine.
Croad said discovering his home had meth residue was “crazy”.
He said he had to sit down from shock when he received the result. “I don’t want to sell a place to somebody that’s going to get somebody sick.”
A previous owner operated the property as a holiday rental.
Croad said property owners in a holiday destination “need” to get their houses tested.
Results showed 40% of Croad’s garage was contaminated, as was 1.5% of an upstairs bedroom.
“Once you’re contaminated, you’ve got no choice but to fix it. You’re trapped in a corner.”
Croad encouraged property buyers to request meth tests.
“Spend the extra to get the testing done because costs can escalate when negotiating or losing a house sale.
“There are just so many people it could be happening to, but nobody really knows.”
Disclosing meth contamination
A Real Estate Authority spokesperson said meth contamination could be relevant to prospective property buyers.
Real estate agents had obligations under the authority’s code of conduct to disclose known or likely defects to consumers.
They said if prospective buyers showed interest in knowing about meth contamination at a property, disclosure was required at any level of contamination.
“They should ask the licensee whether this is an issue and to see any existing methamphetamine test reports, and consider making a satisfactory toxicology report a condition of purchase.”
Acting Bay of Plenty district crime manager Detective Inspector Craig Rawlinson said landlords should regularly inspect their properties.
“Landlords need to remember they have obligations to carry out due diligence on prospective tenants.”
He recommended landlords carry out reference checks, meet tenants in person, check identification, and verify credit and income.
“If tenants have a preference to pay rent in cash or offer to pay more to avoid inspections, that should be a red flag.”
Rawlinson said police wastewater testing data showed a slight increase in meth use from January to March – summer, when illicit drug use had historically increased at festivals and events.
He said police were committed to targeting and disrupting meth use and supply.
Addiction support
New Zealand Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm said wastewater data showed meth use roughly doubled in mid-2024 and had remained high since.
She said more supply entering the country drove the increase.
“The UN Office on Drugs and Crime reports that production and trafficking of methamphetamine have risen sharply since 2021.”
Helm said nationwide prices had fallen, which could have contributed to increased consumption.
She said the price of meth had dipped about 41%, from $564 per gram in 2017/2018 to $334 in 2025.
“The elevated levels of methamphetamine in wastewater testing are incredibly concerning, but we know that policing and enforcement alone isn’t going to solve this.”
Last year, the Government released an Action Plan to Prevent and Reduce Substance Harm 2026–2029.
This increased funding for health initiatives and support services, including early intervention and peer support.
“We are hopeful it will lead to improvements, but if it isn’t enough then more investment in health support may be needed.”
Helm said New Zealand needed a “fundamental shift” to reduce drug harm.
“That means rebalancing our strategy towards health responses, harm reduction, and reducing demand.”
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora regional mental health and addictions lead Vicki Aitken said meth use was linked with mental health distress and physical harm.
“We continue to work with providers and community partners to improve access to prevention, treatment and recovery services, while investing in initiatives that reduce meth-related harm and support people and whānau on their recovery journey.”
Aitken said Health New Zealand had mental health and addiction services to support people with co-existing needs, usually alongside social challenges.
Health New Zealand was implementing further initiatives under the Government’s Reducing Demand for Methamphetamine Programme.
Aitken said this included peer recovery supports, screening and brief interventions in emergency departments, expanded community treatment and workforce development.
She said new meth harm-reduction services began in July.
Crisis Recovery Cafes and peer support services were also planned for emergency departments as part of the Government’s action plan.
“Within Tauranga’s Emergency Department, we have peer support specialists who support people presenting who may be dealing with mental distress, which can often be related to drug use.”
Aitken said these workers had “lived experience” and offered unique support.
“They also offer a non-judgmental and understanding ear for people to open up about drug use and then support them in ways to get help.”
Bijou Johnson is a multimedia journalist based in Bay of Plenty. A passionate writer and reader, she grew up in Tauranga and developed a love for journalism while exploring various disciplines at university. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Massey University.