Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. New Zealand law
Cannabis laws in Wellington 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
New Zealand’s police diversion scheme came up in the accounts. A NORML activist claimed the cannabis arrest rate was more than 50% higher than in the US at the time. Others felt a quiet smoke in town or on the waterfront could go unnoticed, unless you drew an officer’s attention.
Where to Buy Marijuana
The old names were Manners Mall, Courtenay Place, the game arcades and the “tinnie shacks” in the suburbs. In Newtown people mentioned the flats down by the athletics park. Sellers kept their circles close. A reggae gig or club night from the local listings was a better place to meet people than a straight-up street approach.
Marijuana Prices
- NZ$20 for a tinnie of about 1 g, said to roll about two joints.
- NZ$50 for a bag of roughly 3 g, or enough for five to six joints.
- About NZ$150 for a half-ounce and NZ$300–350 for an ounce in one set of quotes.
- By grade: NZ$250–300 an ounce for outdoor and NZ$300–400 for indoor, then roughly US$140–170 and US$170–220 respectively.
Types of Marijuana
Names weren’t always given. The rule of thumb was to look at the flower before buying.
More Information
A surprising number of people smoked, even though an introduction could take a while. New Zealand NORML was the resource named at the time.