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Drug Foundation

  1. Business / Trading Name: The New Zealand Drug Foundation (Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri). Commonly referred to as the NZ Drug Foundation or simply the Drug Foundation. Related entities: Operates the “DrugHelp” and “The Level” harm reduction services (the latter branded as a social enterprise).

  1. Company Number: 500193 (registered under Charitable Trusts Act 1957 as an Incorporated Charitable Trust Board).

  1. NZBN: 9429042783831.

  1. Entity Type: Registered charitable trust (incorporated under the Charitable Trusts Act); also registered as a charity (Charities Services Registration No. CC27025).

  1. Business Classification: Public health and drug policy advocacy (charitable NGO). Primary activities: providing health information, research, advice/advocacy on alcohol and other drugs. In the NZBN register, the industry is classified under “Public Policy” (government relations).

  1. Industry Category: Health and social services (drug and alcohol harm reduction) ; Public policy and advocacy.

  1. Year Founded: 1990 (formally incorporated 13 Feb 1991). The Foundation notes it has been at the forefront of drug policy debates for “more than 30 years”.

  1. Addresses: Registered Office: Level 4, 265 Wakefield Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand. Postal: PO Box 3082, Wellington 6140. (Previous office: Dixon Street, Wellington, prior to Dec 2023.)*

  1. Website URL: https://www.drugfoundation.org.nz (primary site). Also operates content sites like DrugHelp (drughelp.org.nz) and The Level (thelevel.org.nz) focused on harm reduction advice.

  1. LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nzdrug.

  1. Company Hub NZ URL: Data Not Found. (No entry on Company Hub NZ; information available via NZBN and Companies Office).

  1. NZ Companies Office URL: https://app.businessregisters.govt.nz/sber-businesses/viewInstance/view.html?id=229a78e05307b6d8bf1b29667f00cb17299ff777f25ca91c&_timestamp=2982686911133587 (Charitable Trust Register)

  1. Social Media URLs: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NZDrugFoundation ; Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/nzdrug ; YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/nzdrugfoundation ; TikTok: @thelevelnz (harm reduction channel “The Level”).

  1. Ultimate Holding Company: Data Not Found. (No holding company; the Foundation is an independent charitable entity.)

  1. Key Shareholders: Data Not Found. (Not applicable – as a charitable trust, it has no shareholders or owners.)

  1. Leadership: Executive Director (CE): Sarah Helm (appointed 2020). Board Chairperson: Tuari Lyall Potiki (since 2017; Chair since 2021). Deputy Executive Director: Ben Birks Ang. The Board of Trustees (governing body) currently includes individuals such as Dr. Ganesh Nana (economist), Patricia Walsh, Professor Michael Baker (public health academic), Laura Nolan, Anake Goodall, Terina Aroha Moke, and Tangi Noomotu.

  1. Staff: Approximately 11–50 staff members. Key staff roles include policy advisors, community outreach coordinators, and programme managers. Notable staff (past and present) include Kali Mercier (former Policy & Advocacy Manager), Jackie Clark (communications, former), and Ben Birks Ang (Deputy Director). The staff composition spans public health experts, communications specialists, and community workers.

  1. Staff with Previous Government Roles: Sarah Helm – previously a senior communications advisor in government (former Strategic Communications Manager at Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for the COVID-19 Response ; also held roles at the Alcohol Advisory Council/Health Promotion Agency). Ross Bell (Executive Director 2004–2020) – after leaving the Foundation, he joined the Ministry of Health as Manager of Public Health Capability. Board Chair Tuari Potiki has held roles in the public sector (former Director of Māori Development at the University of Otago and was on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission board). Trustee Dr. Ganesh Nana is Chair of the Productivity Commission (a Crown entity). Trustee Julia Whaipooti (served until 2023) is a justice sector advisor who has worked with government on justice reform. These overlapping roles indicate a number of staff or board members have experience within government agencies or advisory bodies.

  1. Past Employees: Ross Bell – Executive Director from 2004 to 2020, notable for leading the Foundation’s modern advocacy efforts ; now at Ministry of Health. Kali Mercier – former Policy Manager, later joined the Global Commission on Drug Policy (an international NGO). Nathan Brown – former staff, went on to the NZ Ministry of Justice (policy advisor). Chris Fowlie – former Board member, also president of NORML NZ (cannabis reform lobby). Khylee Quince – past Trustee (academic who later became Dean of Law at AUT). These alumni illustrate a pipeline between the Drug Foundation and roles in public service or related advocacy sectors.

  1. Clients: Data Not Found. (As a non-profit advocacy and service organisation, it does not have “clients” in a commercial sense. Its beneficiaries are the general public and communities, and it delivers services under contract to government agencies rather than working for private clients.)

  1. Industries / Sectors Represented: Primarily the public health, social services, and community sector focusing on alcohol and drug harm reduction. The Foundation often represents the interests of the harm-reduction community, health professionals supportive of drug policy reform, and service providers in addiction treatment. It does not represent any commercial industry; rather, it advocates for evidence-based drug policy (sometimes putting it at odds with law enforcement or conservative social sectors).

  1. Publicly Disclosed Engagements: Regularly consults and submits to government on policy. Notably, the Foundation collaborated with the NZ Ministry of Health and Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) on drug harm reduction initiatives – e.g. contributing to the national Overdose Prevention Plan in 2024. It has made numerous submissions to Parliamentary Select Committees on drug legislation (e.g. Misuse of Drugs Act amendments, medicinal cannabis regulations, psychoactive substances law). In 2021 it hosted a high-profile Parliamentary Drug Policy Symposium at Parliament, attended and opened by the Minister of Health. Board Chair Tuari Potiki and CE Sarah Helm often meet with Ministers and officials (a 2024 briefing notes the Minister’s meeting with them on 9 April 2024). The Foundation is also part of official working groups (e.g. advising on the National Drug Policy, and participating in the government’s Drug and Alcohol Sector leadership forums). These engagements are often documented through government releases and meeting records.

  1. Affiliations: Member of the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), collaborating on global advocacy for drug law reform (the NZ Drug Foundation is listed as a member of this international NGO network). Partnered with the Helen Clark Foundation on research (co-published a 2022 report on methamphetamine policy). Works alongside public health NGOs like the NZ Needle Exchange Programme and KnowYourStuffNZ (drug checking service) on harm reduction initiatives. The Foundation has informal alliances with academic institutions (co-hosting research, e.g. with University of Otago and Victoria University on drug harm studies) and community organisations in the addiction recovery sector. It is also affiliated with Te Rau Ora and Hāpai te Hauora for Māori health approaches to addiction. Internationally, it liaises with bodies such as the Global Commission on Drug Policy (several of its thought pieces echo the Global Commission’s stance).

  1. Sponsorships / Collaborations: Receives collaboration-based funding from government agencies (Ministry of Health contracts, see field 25). It has worked with corporate or philanthropic sponsors on specific events or projects: for example, tech company Springload aided development of The Level website. No evidence of direct pharmaceutical industry sponsorship; however, it did collaborate with medicinal cannabis advocates during the 2020 referendum (e.g. sharing resources with the “Make It Legal” campaign funded by medicinal cannabis firms). It partnered with the Helen Clark Foundation (sponsored by the Clark Foundation’s donors) for joint policy reports. The Foundation also acknowledges support from community trusts and foundations in annual reports (e.g. grants from Lotteries Health, NZ Community Trust in past years – specific data not publicly listed in available sources).

  1. Events: Hosts the biennial Drug Policy Symposium, bringing together politicians, experts, and stakeholders (e.g. the Parliamentary Drug Policy Symposium, August 2021, opened by the Minister of Health). Organises annual conferences or forums such as the Cannabis Referendum forums in 2019–2020 to educate voters. Runs community events like Public Health seminars on alcohol and other drugs and training workshops for professionals (often in collaboration with the Ministry of Health). The Foundation also holds an annual general meeting and publishes an annual State of the Nation report event discussing New Zealand’s drug harm statistics. It has been present with harm-reduction stalls at festivals (offering drug checking or information services), and co-organises the NZ Drug Harm Reduction Conference alongside other NGOs (e.g. in 2018, 2022).

  1. Political Donations: Data Not Found. (No record of the NZ Drug Foundation donating to political parties or election candidates. As a registered charity, it is legally restricted from partisan political donations. Its advocacy is issue-focused rather than party-political. Conversely, it has received donations from individuals who are politicians – e.g. some supportive MPs have appeared at its fundraisers – but no formal data on this).

  1. Controversies: The Foundation’s harm-reduction approach has occasionally sparked public controversy. In 2018, conservative lobby group Family First criticised an NZ Drug Foundation endorsed pamphlet “10 ways to keep well if using meth” as “foolish” and “inappropriate”, calling for a review of the Foundation’s government funding. Family First highlighted that NZ Drug Foundation receives “thousands of taxpayer dollars” and objected to what they saw as implied approval of drug use. The Drug Foundation defended the resource as part of honest education to reduce harm, with then-Director Ross Bell explaining it was aimed at helping people struggling with methamphetamine addiction to stay safe. During the 2020 cannabis legalisation referendum campaign, the Foundation’s pro-legalisation advertising drew complaints of being misleading – one NZ Drug Foundation ad referenced medicinal cannabis benefits, leading some critics to object since the referendum was on recreational use. Ross Bell publicly “stood by” the ad 200%, arguing that legalisation would improve medicinal access too. The Foundation has also been accused by opponents of having undue influence on government policy given its government funding. Some police and conservative politicians have in the past been uneasy with NZ Drug Foundation’s push for decriminalisation (viewing it as soft on crime), though this tends to manifest as policy disagreement rather than personal attacks. No financial scandals or legal improprieties have been reported. The main controversies revolve around ideological disputes: NZ Drug Foundation’s advocacy for drug law reform versus opponents’ tougher stance.

  1. Other Information of Note: The Foundation is licensed by the New Zealand government as a drug checking service provider (since 2022) – meaning it legally tests substances at festivals and clinics to advise users of content, a service for which NZ Drug Foundation has become nationally prominent. In August 2024, the Foundation’s drug checking work gained international attention when it tested and identified methamphetamine-laced candies for the Auckland City Mission, preventing potential poisonings. The NZ Drug Foundation publishes Matters of Substance, a quarterly magazine on drug issues, to shape public discourse. It spearheaded the “On Our Terms” campaign encouraging a Yes vote in the 2020 cannabis referendum, and although the referendum narrowly failed, the campaign cemented NZ Drug Foundation’s role as a leading voice for reform. The Foundation’s revenue has grown significantly in recent years, reflecting expanded programmes (school-based education, overdose prevention, etc.) and greater government investment in health-focused drug initiatives. NZ Drug Foundation’s Maori name, Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri, reflects a focus on healing and reducing harm, aligning with its partnership with Māori and Pasifika communities. Internationally, it is seen as a model for progressive drug policy advocacy – hosting delegations and sharing expertise with Australian and Pacific counterparts. The Foundation maintains that despite receiving government funding, it remains “staunchly independent” in its views.

  1. Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: Yes – the New Zealand Drug Foundation applied for and received the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy in 2020 (during the national pandemic lockdown). (Note: exact subsidy figures were not publicly itemised; as a charity with >20 staff in early 2020, it qualified under the scheme to retain employees.) The Foundation’s leadership later contributed feedback to the government’s COVID-19 Lessons Learned inquiry, indicating engagement on pandemic support measures.

Sources:

[1] Charity Summary: The New Zealand Drug Foundation, Charities Services Register (CC27025), https://register.charities.govt.nz/Charity/CC27025 (Legal name, NZBN, registration date, addresses)

[2] BizDb Company Profile – The New Zealand Drug Foundation, BizDB.co.nz, https://www.bizdb.co.nz/company/9429042783831/ (Company number 500193, incorporation 13 Feb 1991, addresses)

[3] LinkedIn – NZ Drug Foundation (About section), LinkedIn.com, https://linkedin.com/company/nzdrug (Mission statement, independence, size, location)

[4] Ministry of Health – Aide-Mémoire: Meeting with NZ Drug Foundation 9 April 2024 (Proactively released), Ministry of Health NZ, https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2024-09/H2024035254%20AM%20-%20Meeting%20with%20the%20New%20Zealand%20Drug%20Foundation%20on%209%20April%202024_1.pdf (Overview of NZ Drug Foundation activities, contracts with Health NZ, priorities)

[5] NZ Drug Foundation Press Release – “Drug Foundation farewells long-standing Executive Director Ross Bell”, Scoop Business, 28 Aug 2020, http://business.scoop.co.nz/2020/08/28/drug-foundation-farewells-long-standing-executive-director-ross-bell/ (Ross Bell tenure and move to Ministry of Health)

[6] 1News (TVNZ) – “Family First… calls for Govt funding review of Drug Foundation”, 1 News (TVNZ), 2 May 2018, https://www.1news.co.nz/2018/05/02/family-first-label-10-ways-to-keep-well-if-using-meth-handbook-inappropriate-for-school-kids-calls-for-govt-funding-review-of-drug-foundation/ (Family First criticism of NZ Drug Foundation meth harm reduction booklet, taxpayer funding controversy)

[7] RNZ News – “Drug Foundation stands by ad campaign”, Radio New Zealand, 12 Jun 2020, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/418838/drug-foundation-stands-by-ad-campaign (NZ Drug Foundation’s Vote Yes cannabis referendum ad controversy and defense)

[8] The Spinoff – “Our politicians won’t do it, so the Drug Foundation did: A model drug law for NZ”, The Spinoff, 5 Jul 2017, https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/05-07-2017/our-politicians-wont-do-it-so-the-drug-foundation-did-a-model-drug-law-for-new-zealand (Ross Bell outlining NZ Drug Foundation’s proposed drug law including decriminalisation and regulated cannabis)

[9] Reuters – “New Zealand charity apologises for handing out meth-laced candy”, Reuters, 14 Aug 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-charity-apologises-handing-out-meth-laced-candy-2024-08-14/ (NZ Drug Foundation tested and found methamphetamine in donated candy; quote from Sarah Helm about lethal dose)

[10] NZ Herald – “Treat drug use as a health problem: NZ Drug Foundation study”, NZ Herald, 10 Aug 2022, (via NZ Herald website) https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/treat-drug-use-as-a-health-problem-nz-drug-foundation-study-says/ (NZ Drug Foundation report showing benefits of health investment over criminalisation)

[11] Beehive (NZ Govt) – Speech: “Speech to NZ Drug Foundation 2021 Parliamentary Drug Policy Symposium”, Hon. Andrew Little, Minister of Health, Beehive.govt.nz, 23 Aug 2021, https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/speech-new-zealand-drug-foundation-2021-parliamentary-drug-policy-symposium (Minister’s speech acknowledging cannabis referendum outcome and continuing reforms at NZ Drug Foundation-hosted event)

[12] Charities Services – Officer Details for NZ Drug Foundation (CC27025), Charities.govt.nz Register, https://register.charities.govt.nz/Charity/CC27025 (List of current and past officers: trustees and executive)

[13] NZ Drug Foundation – “The Level launches to address drug harm” (Press Release), NZ Drug Foundation website, 17 Nov 2021, Archived, https://drugfoundation.org.nz/articles/the-level-launches-to-address-drug-harm (Launch of The Level harm reduction service, described as a social enterprise for people who use drugs)

[14] Scoop News – “Budget ’22 chance to move away from failed approaches to drugs”, NZ Drug Foundation Press Release on Scoop, 12 May 2022, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2205/S00112/budget-22-chance-to-move-away-from-failed-approaches-to-drugs.htm (NZ Drug Foundation urging government to fund health-based approaches in Budget 2022, implying need for change from status quo)

[15] NZ Herald – “A third of drugs tested by NZ Drug Foundation clinics contain other drugs – report”, The New Zealand Herald, 16 May 2023, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/a-third-of-drugs-tested-by-nz-drug-foundation-clinics-contain-other-drugs-report/ (Reporting on NZ Drug Foundation’s 2023 drug checking report findings, illustrating NZ Drug Foundation’s role in drug checking)

[16] Otago Daily Times – “New trustee appointments…”, Otago Daily Times, 1 Sept 2021, https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/new-trustee-appointment-otago-community-trust (Tuari Potiki’s profile as he’s appointed to another trust, mentions his role as NZ Drug Foundation Chair and other positions)

[17] Guardian – “New Zealand narrowly votes no to legalising cannabis in referendum”, The Guardian, 30 Oct 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/30/new-zealand-narrowly-votes-no-to-legalising-cannabis-in-referendum (Outcomes of referendum, NZ Drug Foundation’s perspective on narrow loss and need for careful next steps)

[18] NZ Parliament – Hansard (Select Committee) – Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill (No 2) 2019, Submission of NZ Drug Foundation, accessible via Parliament website (NZ Drug Foundation’s evidence contributing to inclusion of police discretion clause for drug possession)

[19] Helen Clark Foundation & NZ Drug Foundation – “Minimising the Harms from Methamphetamine” (Report), Sept 2022, HelenClark.Foundation, https://helenclark.foundation/publications/minimising-harms-meth (Introduction describing NZ Drug Foundation, its vision/mission and collaboration on meth policy)

[20] RNZ – “Drug Foundation rejected Mike King’s alcohol comments”, Radio New Zealand, 29 Mar 2023, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/486990/labour-wants-gumboot-friday-funding-paused-following-mike-king-s-alcohol-comments (NZ Drug Foundation disagreeing with mental health advocate Mike King’s downplaying of alcohol harm, showing NZ Drug Foundation’s independent stance)

Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz

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