Who we are

For more than 30 years we've made it our mission to transform the way Aotearoa treats drugs and the people who use them.

We do this through our our leadership, by supporting communities and by inspiring action that promotes wellbeing, is mana enhancing and prevents drug harm.

We recognise that our current drug laws, underpinned by and interwoven with colonisation, racism and discrimination, compound drug harms instead of alleviating them. They create an environment of secrecy and shame that stops people seeking help.

The New Zealand Drug Foundation Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri is a catalyst for change, creating or partnering in ground-breaking interventions and policies that reduce harm and demonstrate the change we want to see.

Our Values

Commit ourselves to health equity for Māori and meeting Māori health aspirations 

Kia mau mātou ki te hauora mana taurite o ngāi Māori, ki te whakatutuki hoki i ngā whāinga hauora o ngāi Māori

This is why we fearlessly advocate for system change and law reform that addresses health inequalities and inequity through the lens of social, cultural, economic and environmental determinants of health.

Create kind, compassionate and people-centred responses to drug harm reduction 

Kia waihanga urupare atawhai, mākoha hoki e hāngai pū ana ki te tangata hei whakaiti i te pāmamae kai whakapiri

This is why the way we work is centred on those who experience the most harm from drugs and drug laws and policy.

Support communities to create solutions for themselves 

Kia tautoko i ngā hapori ki te waihanga whakautu mō rātou anō

This is why partnerships, collaboration and communities of practice are important to us.

Respect the power of evidence to inform our own work and our advocacy 

Whakamanahia te taunakitanga hei tuku whakamōhiotanga mō ā mātou mahi, mō tā mātou mahi hapahapai hoki

This is why we draw heavily on the best evidence and practice in all we do, and work with researchers to translate knowledge into action.

We are a staunchly independent charitable trust registered under the Charities Act 2005 (No. CC27025). Our work is supported by government funding, corporate and private grants and donations, and people like you.