27169 (2025). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health

Written Question

Published date: 06 Jun 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	27169 (2025)
Question asked:	22 May 2025
Member asking:	Ingrid Leary
Portfolio:	Minister for Mental Health
Minister replying:	Hon Matt Doocey
Answer received:	02 Jun 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_27169_2025
Document guid:	0ed8c58c-087d-46aa-b793-b595e4e6bca2

27169 (2025). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health: Why are only two permanent ongoing South Island clinical Needle Exchange Programme services, in Christchurch and Dunedin, funded by Health NZ?

Hon Matt Doocey: I am advised that Health New Zealand currently funds Drug Injecting Services Canterbury (DISC) Trust to deliver needle exchange services in Te Waipounamu. They currently operate seven needle exchanges across the South Island, including Nelson, Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill, and operate a mobile outreach service to the West Coast. I also refer the Member to Written Parliamentary Question 24038 (2025).