P-250 Policy for managing methamphetamine
(meth) in Kāinga Ora-managed properties
Issue Date
Approved by
Customer Leadership
Group
Owner
Deputy Chief Executive,
Author
Operational Policy team
People and Homes
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1. Introduction
Methamphetamine (meth) is one of a family of drugs that act as stimulants to the central
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nervous system and speed up messages to and from the brain. In New Zealand it is often called
'P', short for 'pure', and is commonly available in crystal or powdered forms. Due to its potential
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to harm individual users, meth is a Class A (very high risk) controlled substance under the
Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.
Meth use can result in harm and addiction issues for the person using the drug, and their family
/whānau. Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities (Kāinga Ora) views meth use, first and
foremost, as a health and addiction issue for the person using and their family/whanau. When
meth contamination due to meth use above the relevant threshold is confirmed in a tenanted
property managed by Kāinga Ora, our focus will be to sustain that household in state housing. If
decontamination cannot safely occur to enable the household to remain at that property,
Kāinga Ora will look to transfer the household to another Kāinga Ora-managed property. There
will be very limited circumstances where we will consider ending a tenancy for meth use even if
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the tenant is confirmed to have caused the contamination.
Meth use or manufacture can result in contamination of a home, including outbuildings and
grounds, as well as personal effects and furnishings. Kāinga Ora tenants, workers and other
people exposed to this contamination can potentially experience sensitivity to specific
chemicals that may be present in the manufacture of meth.
2. Purpose
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This Policy provides guidance to Kāinga Ora workers about managing meth in Kāinga Ora
managed properties, including health and safety matters around potential or confirmed meth
situations in Kāinga Ora-managed properties.
© Kāinga Ora. This document has been developed by Kāinga Ora. Reproduction, adaptation or utilisation either in part or in whole
without the prior written consent of Kāinga Ora is prohibited.
This document is uncontrolled when printed or downloaded. Refer to Atamai for the latest version.
P-250 Policy for Managing Methamphetamine -Meth- in Kainga Ora-Managed Properties (A7782003)
October 2019
Page 1 of 9
People and Homes Team
Policy for Managing Methamphetamine (Meth) in Kainga Ora
Properties
Background
This Policy is one of a series of shifts in approach to proactively help our tenants and their
families sustain their tenancies and live in warm, safe, dry homes.
Objectives
Our objective is to safely identify and manage all situations where meth contamination is
suspected with credible evidence or found in Kāinga Ora-managed properties.
We will follow procedures designed to safeguard our workers, tenants and their households,
and other persons who may occupy, maintain, visit or otherwise come into contact with
properties we manage where there:
is a risk from exposure to meth contamination
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are safety and security issues connected to work in and around those properties
3. Scope
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This policy applies to all properties Kāinga Ora manages.
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Our workers have obligations to manage and control meth contamination in a way that is
consistent with this policy and to comply with all applicable New Zealand health and safety
legislation, regulations, standards, guidelines and codes of practice.
Our tenants have obligations to comply with Kāinga Ora’s reasonable instructions and
expectations regarding any illegal or hazardous substances, and contaminants, including meth,
in Kāinga Ora-managed properties.
4. Policy
Information
This policy focusses on Kāinga Ora’s management of meth contamination in its homes.
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We will manage and maintain our existing homes so tenants have access to warm, dry and safe
homes, while we ensure the useability and overall quality of our homes are maintained.
We will take all reasonably practical steps to eliminate/minimise the risks associated with meth
contamination. We will do this by:
maintaining a focus on the wellbeing and safety of our workers, tenants and other
people, particularly any children in the household, potentially coming into contact with
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meth contamination
making sure we take all reasonable steps to inform our tenants, workers and other
persons about the actions we are taking
applying a risk based approach to manage any activities undertaken by workers and
other people potentially coming into contact with tenants, households and their
associates involved in the manufacture, sale and use of meth.
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P-250 Policy for Managing Methamphetamine -Meth- in Kainga Ora-Managed Properties (A7782003)
October 2019
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People and Homes Team
Policy for Managing Methamphetamine (Meth) in Kainga Ora
Properties
applying the ‘above 15 µg/100 cm2’ threshold, as set out by the Prime Minister’s then-
Chief Science Advisor in his 29 May 2018 report, as the trigger for meth
decontamination of Kāinga Ora-managed properties. Exceptions to this threshold are
where:
o
Kāinga Ora has contractual lease obligations that specify a lower tested meth
threshold triggers decontamination.
o
there is credible evidence of meth manufacture and test results are above 1.5
µg/100 cm2,1 Kāinga Ora will decontaminate a property down to or below 1.5
µg/100 cm2 in line with NZS 8510:2017.
carrying out all meth testing, decontamination and re-testing in line with the guidance
contained in NZS 8510:2017
Testing and decontamination of methamphetamine-
contaminated properties issued by Standards New Zealand on 29 June 2017, and any
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other relevant standards or regulations.
complying with relevant legislation, regulations, standards, guidelines, procedures and
codes of practice
having operating procedures to confirm, clean, reinstate or demolish contaminated
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properties in a safe manner
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using legal channels, where appropriate, to manage unlawful activity/anti-social
behaviour (regardless of test results) where Kāinga Ora has credible evidence a tenant
or associate is making, selling or using meth at a Kāinga Ora property
maintaining accurate records of all tests for meth contamination and the actions we
have taken to investigate and resolve them.
5. Principles
Protection of our workers, and the community
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We will take all reasonable steps to make sure our workers have a safe working environment
and are not exposed to known situations of meth contamination.
We also commit, so far as is reasonably practicable, to making sure our workers, tenants,
members of the community and the environment are not put at risk from work carried out at
meth contaminated Kāinga Ora-managed properties or any adjoining properties affected by
meth contamination.
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We will consult with workers, their representatives and the community as required in relation
to the management of meth contamination in Kāinga Ora-managed properties.
1 The Chief Science Advisor’s report notes that even low tested levels of meth cannot effectively rule out meth
manufacture. As a result, where there is credible evidence of meth manufacture, Kāinga Ora will decontaminate
down to the threshold applicable to either high use or limited use areas at a property.
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P-250 Policy for Managing Methamphetamine -Meth- in Kainga Ora-Managed Properties (A7782003)
October 2019
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People and Homes Team
Policy for Managing Methamphetamine (Meth) in Kainga Ora
Properties
Risk management
We will adopt a risk based approach for the management and control of meth contamination in
properties managed by Kāinga Ora. Risk assessment (people and property-related) will be
undertaken prior to testing a property. Risks will be reviewed as any further treatment
progresses.
A test for meth contamination will be undertaken on any:
tenanted or void property where Kāinga Ora has reasonable grounds, supported by
credible evidence, for suspecting the property may have high levels of meth
contamination.
tenanted or void property where Kāinga Ora makes a business decision to carry out a
non-suspicion test for meth contamination (i.e. where there is no apparent cause for
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suspicion).
Treatment of properties
Where Kāinga Ora has made a decision to decontaminate a property and the property is
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tenanted, for health and safety reasons, the property will generally need to be vacated so that
decontamination work can occur.
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Following decontamination, the property will be tested again to assess whether the work has
successfully reduced meth contamination in previously affected areas to levels that are at or
below the meth levels in NZS 8510:2017. Where this has occurred, a Clearance Report and
Certificate will be provided by the contractor.
Where contamination is extensive and decontamination will not successfully reduce it to levels
that are at or below the levels in NZS 8510:2017, demolition (in full or part) may be required.
All contaminated material will be removed as hazardous waste and disposed of in accordance
with local authority regulations.
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Recording and monitoring all meth contamination cases
For the safety of our workers, tenants and contractors, we will:
electronically highlight meth contamination action in Kāinga Ora’s property records to
signal a potential/confirmed hazard exists; and
complete assessments/reviews of customer risk ratings for current tenants and
associates in or linked to Kāinga Ora properties with a meth contamination status of
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either testing, confirmed or cleansed.
Both categories of information will be visible to our employees on core computer system
screens and will be recorded in the Hazards section of Work Orders sent to our maintenance
contractors.
We will electronically record all cases where Kāinga Ora carries out testing, decontamination
and reinstatement work on properties suspected of or confirmed with meth contamination.
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People and Homes Team
Policy for Managing Methamphetamine (Meth) in Kainga Ora
Properties
This will enable us to monitor the number and status of all cases and provide statistical
information to demonstrate due diligence towards risk elimination/minimisation.
Dealing with confirmed cases of meth contamination
In all cases of confirmed meth contamination, Kāinga Ora will record all relevant information,
including actions taken, in its core computer systems for future reference and use.
At any time, when/if requested by a tenant or household member, Kāinga Ora staff will provide
information about how and where they can obtain support from and access to drug addiction
services
For properties that are vacant, Kāinga Ora will progress that property through the testing,
decontamination, reinstatement and re-letting processes. For tenanted properties, Kāinga Ora
will consider the following actions.
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Meth use
Where we have credible evidence that a tenant, household member or associate’s meth use
has caused meth contamination
below the threshold used by Kāinga Ora, our actions may
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include offering the household:
support and referral to appropriate services to help them address the health and
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addiction issues associated with harmful meth use
referral to Kāinga Ora’s Te Waka Urungi (Intensive Tenancy Management) team, who
can work closely with those households who are struggling to sustain their tenancy and
help the household to access the support they need to live well in our homes and/or
community.
Where we have credible evidence that a tenant, household member or associate’s heavy meth
use has caused meth contamination
above the threshold used by Kāinga Ora, our actions may
include:
providing support and referrals as described above, and
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offering the household a Business Initiated Transfer, and
in exceptional circumstances, terminating the tenancy appropriately under the
Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
In some circumstances it may be appropriate to seek recovery of costs associated with testing,
cleaning, reinstating, demolishing, or the loss of value of, a property from the tenants and/or
other persons through the Tenancy Tribunal or District Court. Any such cases must be discussed
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first with the appropriate manager before proceeding.
Meth manufacture
Kāinga Ora does not permit the manufacture or supply of meth in the homes we manage.
Where we have credible evidence that a tenant, household member or associate is
manufacturing or selling meth at a Kāinga Ora-managed property, we will use the appropriate
legal channels, including police referral, to manage this unlawful activity/anti-social behaviour.
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P-250 Policy for Managing Methamphetamine -Meth- in Kainga Ora-Managed Properties (A7782003)
October 2019
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People and Homes Team
Policy for Managing Methamphetamine (Meth) in Kainga Ora
Properties
If a meth test shows the tenant, household member or associate has caused meth
contamination due to meth manufacture, Kāinga Ora’s actions may include the referrals
mentioned above, as well as:
offering non-responsible household members a Business Initiated Transfer
in exceptional circumstances, terminating the tenancy appropriately under the
Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
In some circumstances it may be appropriate to seek recovery of costs associated with testing,
cleaning, reinstating, demolishing, or the loss of value of, a property from the tenants and/or
other persons through the Tenancy Tribunal or District Court. Any such cases must be discussed
first with the appropriate manager before proceeding.
Housing people with drug history
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We will work to support and sustain any tenancy being offered to and accepted by a person
known by Kāinga Ora to have a drug history, including:
a social housing applicant, where credible evidence is supplied by a reliable third party
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(for example, Police or MSD) or the applicant themselves confirms drug use to staff
a Kāinga Ora tenant who receives a Business Initiated Transfer when meth
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contamination above the relevant threshold used by Kāinga Ora was confirmed at their
current Kāinga Ora property.
6. Definitions of terms
The following definitions apply when interpreting this policy:
Term
Definition
Above threshold
A property has test results showing areas with meth contamination
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above the relevant meth threshold used by Kāinga Ora:
Meth use test results above 15 µg/100 cm2.
Meth manufacture test results above 1.5 µg/100 cm2
Test results received above either of these thresholds will trigger the
need for decontamination. The property may need to be vacated for
decontamination work to be completed.
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Below threshold
A property has either:
meth use test results showing areas with meth
contamination at or below the meth threshold of ‘above 15
µg/100 cm2;
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P-250 Policy for Managing Methamphetamine -Meth- in Kainga Ora-Managed Properties (A7782003)
October 2019
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People and Homes Team
Policy for Managing Methamphetamine (Meth) in Kainga Ora
Properties
Term
Definition
meth manufacture test results showing areas with meth
contamination at or below the meth threshold of ‘above 1.5
µg/100 cm2;
re-test results following decontamination are below the
meth levels in NZS 8510:2017. The property is fit for
occupation.
Chief Science
Report on
Methamphetamine contamination in residential
Advisor’s report
properties: Exposures, risk levels and interpretation of standards,
released 29 May 2018 by the Prime Minister’s then-Chief Science
Advisor, Professor Sir Peter Gluckman. the 1982
Cleaning
All work required to reduce areas previously contaminated by meth
(above levels specified in applicable standards, guidelines and
regulations) to levels that are at or below the meth levels set by
NZS 8510:2017.
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Clearance Report and
A report and certification completed by a decontamination
Certificate
contractor, and including confirmation by an accredited sampler
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that a property has been decontaminated to the levels specified in
NZS 8510:2017.
Credible evidence
This means evidence which is capable of belief. It is often natural,
reasonable and probable as to make it easy to believe. For
example, in relation to drug manufacture, it means that the
available facts, when viewed in light of surrounding circumstances,
would cause a reasonable person to believe that drug manufacture
has occurred.
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Decontamination
The process of reducing the level of meth in a property by cleaning
the property or removing meth contaminated material from the
property or both.
Demolition
Destruction of a contaminated property (in whole or part) and the
safe removal of all contaminated material from the site as
hazardous waste and disposed of in accordance with local authority
regulations.
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Health and Safety at
Legislation governing health and safety in New Zealand.
Work Act 2015
Letting
Renting out a cleansed property to another tenant.
Methamphetamine
An abbreviation of ‘methamphetamine’ (an amphetamine type
(meth)
stimulant that is highly addictive). Methamphetamine is a
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P-250 Policy for Managing Methamphetamine -Meth- in Kainga Ora-Managed Properties (A7782003)
October 2019
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People and Homes Team
Policy for Managing Methamphetamine (Meth) in Kainga Ora
Properties
Term
Definition
controlled substance, classified as a Class A (very high risk) drug
under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.
Meth contamination
A property that has been tested in accordance with the applicable
standards, guidelines and regulations and meth contamination has
been found.
NZS 8510:2017
A document issued 29 June 2017 by Standards New Zealand to set
standards and post-decontamination levels for the ‘Testing and
decontamination of methamphetamine-contaminated properties’
Reinstatement
All work required after decontamination to return the property to
Kāinga Ora’s letting pool.
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Residential Tenancies
Legislation (including amendments) that governs all residential
Act 1986
tenancies in New Zealand.
Test
The process of sampling, testing and assessing a property (tenanted
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or void) for the presence/extent/magnitude of meth contamination
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Worker
In this policy the term ‘worker’ includes:
Kāinga Ora employees
contractors and subcontractors
employees of contractors and subcontractors
consultants
worker volunteers
trainees
any persons carrying out work on behalf of HNZ.
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7. Related policies, procedures, legislation and documents
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Related Kāinga Ora procedures:
CA-716 Managing Methamphetamine (Meth) in Kāinga Ora-managed Properties
CA-717 Guidelines for Managing Methamphetamine (Meth) in Home Lease Properties
CA-718 Guidelines for Managing Methamphetamine (Meth) in Emergency Housing
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Properties
CA-719 Guidelines for Managing Methamphetamine (Meth) in Community Group
Housing Properties
T-250 Guidelines for Managing Tenant Belongings Affected by Methamphetamine
(Meth) Contamination
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P-250 Policy for Managing Methamphetamine -Meth- in Kainga Ora-Managed Properties (A7782003)
October 2019
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People and Homes Team
Policy for Managing Methamphetamine (Meth) in Kainga Ora
Properties
Relevant legislation, regulations and standards:
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Kāinga Ora–Homes and Communities Act 2019
Misuse of Drugs Act 1975
Psychoactive Substances Act 2013
Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) 1986.
8. Training
This policy will be available to view on Kāinga Ora’s intranet, Atamai, and promoted across the
organisation. Any amendments or substantive changes to the policy or procedures will be
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supported by a communications plan.
9. Document control
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Date
Reviewed/Modified by
Comments/Descriptions of changes
30/09/19
Rebecca Livingston
Policy updated into Kāinga Ora policy template.
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References to Housing New Zealand changed to
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities (Kāinga Ora).
Details of previous versions of policies and procedures will be stored in Kāinga Ora’s document
management system (Objective).
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October 2019
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