Rotorua anaesthetist censured for diverting controlled drugs for self-medication

Monday 19 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Mon 19 Oct, 8:00pm

In this story Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, Medical Council of New Zealand

Dr Stephan Peter Willi Neff has been censured and ordered to pay costs after it was revealed he diverted Midazolam for nearly 30 years. The Rotorua-based practitioner used the controlled drug without permission to manage stress, anxiety, and insomnia while failing to disclose his addiction to health authorities.

How they headlined it

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1:59pm8pm

1. StuffMon 19 Oct, 1:59pm

   Anaesthetist secretly diverted controlled drugs for his own use (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldMon 19 Oct, 8:00pm

   Former Rotorua anaesthetist Dr Stephan Neff censured for self-treatment with controlled drug (opens in new tab)