A snapshot of the scale, lays bare the geographic spread of New Zealand's meth problem

The Herald's obtained two years of wastewater test results that police have used to monitor consumption of illegal drugs around the country since late 2018.

Analysis shows small towns with high levels of deprivation - including Kaitaia, Opotiki and Wairoa - have been saturated - recording weekly per capita consumption more than double the national average.

Herald reporter Jared Savage says police are using the data to provide funding for community groups tackling the issue.

He says that could be to provide extra social workers, or other support so they can create a wrap-around holistic approach to families who might be struggling.