Roadside drug testing rollout

The story so far

The Government announced a new roadside drug testing regime targeting cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine, using a device that swipes a driver's tongue.^{11, 17 Nov 2025} Police chose the Securetec DrugWipe 3 S, supplied by an Australian company, and testing was set to start in the Wellington District in mid-December.^{14 Nov 2025} Police can now conduct random oral-fluid roadside tests, and the policy aims to improve road safety, though questions remain about whether it detects actual impairment.^{17 Nov 2025} A clinic founder warned that hundreds of thousands of legal medicinal cannabis users could be affected, and two positive saliva tests can result in a 12-hour driving ban.^{27 Nov 2025} In December, a 40-year-old man became the first person to test positive for methamphetamine on the new device, at a Wellington checkpoint, and lost his licence for 28 days after refusing a blood test.^{19 Dec 2025}

Latest

The first positive result on the new device was recorded at a Wellington checkpoint in December, with the driver losing his licence for 28 days after refusing a blood test.^{19 Dec 2025}

What's next

The scheme is expected to expand to the rest of New Zealand by April 2026.^{14 Nov 2025}

Key moments

1. 11 Nov 2025Government announces roadside testing regime for four drugs, using a tongue-swipe device.
2. 14 Nov 2025Police select Securetec DrugWipe 3 S; Wellington testing set for mid-December.
3. 17 Nov 2025Random oral-fluid roadside testing becomes possible under new government laws.
4. 27 Nov 2025Medicinal cannabis users warned they may be affected; two positives bring 12-hour ban.
5. 19 Dec 2025First positive methamphetamine result on the new device, at a Wellington checkpoint.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.