Southland, Nelson Marlborough, Dunedin - South Otago, Canterbury, South Canterbury > Mental Health & Addictions >
New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme Te Waipounamu / DISC
Addiction Service, Community Health
Today
63 Collingwood Street, Nelson
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
10 Washington Way, Christchurch
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
108 Seaview Road, New Brighton, Christchurch
10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
44 Cass Street, Ashburton
10 Bank Street, Timaru
9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
278 King Edward Street, South Dunedin, Otago
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
88 Sprey Street, Invercargill
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Description
The New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme is a nationwide programme supporting people who inject drugs by providing access to needles, syringes and other harm reduction equipment, as well as harm reduction advice, information and education to support safe injecting practice, safer drug use and improving the health and wellbeing of people who inject drugs.
Staff
We are unique in as much as, all of the New Zealand Needle Exchanges are based on the concept of a peer service. This means that many of the staff and volunteers have either current or past lived experience of injecting drugs, which in turn allows you to access a service that has empathy and understanding from people who have often shared similar experiences.
Fees and Charges Categorisation
Free
Fees and Charges Description
No fees apply
Hours
63 Collingwood Street, Nelson
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
| Mon – Fri | 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
|---|
Public Holidays: Closed Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Sunday (20 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (2 Jun), Matariki (20 Jun), Labour Day (27 Oct), Waitangi Day (6 Feb).
10 Washington Way, Christchurch
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
| Mon – Fri | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Sat – Sun | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
Hepatitis C Community Clinic open 9:00am to 3:30pm Mon - Thurs
Public Holidays: Closed Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Sunday (20 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (2 Jun), Matariki (20 Jun), Labour Day (27 Oct), Waitangi Day (6 Feb).
108 Seaview Road, New Brighton, Christchurch
10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
| Mon – Fri | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
|---|
Public Holidays: Closed Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Sunday (20 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (2 Jun), Matariki (20 Jun), Labour Day (27 Oct), Waitangi Day (6 Feb).
44 Cass Street, Ashburton
| Tue | 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Fri | 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
Public Holidays: Closed Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Sunday (20 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (2 Jun), Matariki (20 Jun), Labour Day (27 Oct), Waitangi Day (6 Feb).
10 Bank Street, Timaru
9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
| Mon – Fri | 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Public Holidays: Closed Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Sunday (20 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (2 Jun), Matariki (20 Jun), Labour Day (27 Oct), Waitangi Day (6 Feb).
278 King Edward Street, South Dunedin, Otago
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
| Mon – Wed | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Thu – Fri | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Public Holidays: Closed Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Sunday (20 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (2 Jun), Matariki (20 Jun), Labour Day (27 Oct), Waitangi Day (6 Feb).
88 Sprey Street, Invercargill
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
| Mon – Thu | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Fri | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Public Holidays: Closed Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Sunday (20 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (2 Jun), Matariki (20 Jun), Labour Day (27 Oct), Waitangi Day (6 Feb).
Languages Spoken
English
Programmes
Needle and syringe programmes are an important harm reduction intervention. In New Zealand they are commonly known as needle exchange programmes. People who are injecting drugs can access needles, syringes and other equipment to support safe injecting practice and reduce risk of health related complications. Needle exchanges also provide for the safe disposal of used needles and syringes. We follow a harm reduction model based on empathy and a non-judgemental approach, working with people where they are at and however they understand their drug use. Injecting drug users frequently experience stigma and discrimination; this can often present a barrier to accessing services. As peers mainly staff our exchanges, we have an established credibility and trust within the community. Needle exchanges are therefore a safe space and an important source of information and advice.
Needle and syringe programmes are an important harm reduction intervention. In New Zealand they are commonly known as needle exchange programmes. People who are injecting drugs can access needles, syringes and other equipment to support safe injecting practice and reduce risk of health related complications. Needle exchanges also provide for the safe disposal of used needles and syringes. We follow a harm reduction model based on empathy and a non-judgemental approach, working with people where they are at and however they understand their drug use. Injecting drug users frequently experience stigma and discrimination; this can often present a barrier to accessing services. As peers mainly staff our exchanges, we have an established credibility and trust within the community. Needle exchanges are therefore a safe space and an important source of information and advice.
- Regions
MidCentral, Hawke's Bay, East Auckland, Central Lakes, Southland, West Auckland, Waikato, Hutt, Taranaki, Waitaki, Wellington, Lakes, North Auckland, Tairāwhiti, South Auckland, North Shore, Waitakere, Rodney, Dunedin - South Otago, Manukau, Papakura, Franklin, Central Auckland, Canterbury, Northland, Nelson Marlborough, West Coast, Bay of Plenty, Whanganui, Wairarapa, South Canterbury
- Age Groups
Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua
- Referral Types
Self referral
Referral Process
The needle exchange programme consists of 21 dedicated exchanges, one being a mobile exchange, and 198 pharmacies and alternative outlets.
Click here to find your nearest needle exchange outlet.
Description
Needle and syringe programmes are an important harm reduction intervention. In New Zealand they are commonly known as needle exchange programmes.
People who are injecting drugs can access needles, syringes and other equipment to support safe injecting practice and reduce risk of health related complications.
Needle exchanges also provide for the safe disposal of used needles and syringes.
We follow a harm reduction model based on empathy and a non-judgemental approach, working with people where they are at and however they understand their drug use. Injecting drug users frequently experience stigma and discrimination; this can often present a barrier to accessing services. As peers mainly staff our exchanges, we have an established credibility and trust within the community. Needle exchanges are therefore a safe space and an important source of information and advice.
Disability Assistance
Wheelchair access
Additional Details
Face to face / Kanohi ki te Kanohi
Region
Southland, Nelson Marlborough, Dunedin - South Otago, Canterbury, South Canterbury
Website
Contact Details
63 Collingwood Street, Nelson
Nelson Marlborough
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
-
Phone
(03) 546 8170
Email
Website
10 Washington Way, Christchurch
Canterbury
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
-
Phone
(03) 365 2293
Email
Website
108 Seaview Road, New Brighton, Christchurch
Canterbury
10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
-
Phone
(03) 388 0726
Email
Website
10 Bank Street, Timaru
South Canterbury
9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
-
Phone
(03) 688 8158
Email
Website
278 King Edward Street, South Dunedin, Otago
Dunedin - South Otago
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
-
Phone
(03) 479 2300
Email
Website
88 Sprey Street, Invercargill
Southland
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
-
Phone
(03) 214 1576
Email
Website
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This page was last updated at 11:51AM on March 25, 2025. This information is reviewed and edited by New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme Te Waipounamu / DISC.