Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. New Zealand law
Cannabis laws in Dunedin follow New Zealand’s national law. Cannabis enforcement and penalties are governed by jurisdiction law, not city-specific rules in most cases.
Recreational cannabis is illegal. Medical cannabis is available with a prescription for qualifying conditions. Unauthorized possession or use can lead to penalties.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Available with prescription
- Possession: Illegal
- Buying/Selling: Illegal
- Tourists: Same penalties apply
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Law Enforcement
I thought the cops were too busy to hunt for smokers. The joke was to put on your thickest accent and ask for the information center. People hoped police would just take the stash, but that wasn’t a guarantee.
Where to Buy Marijuana
They called it “Dunsterdam.” At the University of Otago, students gathered on the Union Lawn to smoke together in protest against prohibition.
Every Wednesday and Friday at 4:20 p.m., 50–100 people would light up and hang out. It had been going for almost five years and was a draw for tourists and cannabis enthusiasts.
Marijuana Prices
- A “tinnie”: NZ$25, estimated around a gram but ranging widely in the report.
- A “50 bag”: NZ$50 for roughly 3.5 grams.
- An ounce: NZ$250–350, depending on quality.
Types of Marijuana
“Bush” was outdoor and “skunk” was indoor. In good growing conditions, New Zealand bush could be so good you couldn’t tell it from indoor.
More Information
“Spots” were popular: pressing a little bud between two hot knives and catching the smoke through a glass or plastic bottle with the bottom removed.