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Introduction There are currently 12 dedicated needle exchanges in New Zealand. All offer extended hours full range needle exchange services. Click the map to the right to go to the page for the exchange at that location. Peer Based Service Unlike many other countries, all of New Zealand's needle exchanges are based on the concept of peer based service. This means that many of the workers and volunteers are either current or historic injecting drug users. This allows drug users to access services which have a high degree of empathy and understanding from people who have often shared similar experiences. 
Free Help and AdviceIn addition to exchanging injection equipment Needle Exchanges offer free help and advice to drug users about health issues relating to their drug use. Being a peer based service means that this can be more useful than some health professionals and treatment agencies. Although you should bare in mind that advice or information given is not designed to replace that of health or legal professionals but is of a more practical nature. Clinics Too... For this reason needle exchanges maintain lists of sympathetic health and legal professionals so that if you need specialist help we can refer you someone who will be sympathetic and understanding. Some exchanges operate their own medical and legal clinics specifically for people who inject drugs. using the links on or below the map in the right hand column you can check which services are available in you region. Addiction Problems Whilst none of the needle exchanges offer treatment for addiction problems we are able to give an impartial view of services available in the various regions of the country and to help people find assistance that is most appropriate for them. From a range of community based services such as detoxification and methadone through to more intensive residential based services. To learn more about addiction CLICK HERE 
Resources, Empowerment and Advocacy All needle exchanges carry a wide range of printed booklets and leaflets about various aspects of health and safety relating to injecting drug use as well as having various sorts of reference literature. Most are based on the self empowerment principles of the Ottawa Charter model of health promotion. Many exchanges also publish free magazines made by drug users for drug users. Additionally some exchanges have advocacy and lobbying groups in operation, these mainly specialise in helping people receiving methadone maintenance. Locations 
From North to South these are: Whangarei - NINE Auckland - ADIO Hamilton - NEWS Mt Maunganui - NEMMS New Plymouth - NET Palmerston North - Mid Central Health Wellington - Drugs Project Nelson - NICHE Greymouth - West Coast NEX Christchurch - The Rodger Wright Centre Timaru - The Timaru Exchange Dunedin - DIVO 
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