For areas outside of the Southern District please visit the nation-wide New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme website. Click here >
The Needle Exchange programme is here to make sure people who inject drugs have easy, confidential access to the equipment they need to stay safe and reduce harm. No judgement, no questions, no barriers. Whether you're walking into one of our sites or ordering online, or visiting the outreach mobile service options, our focus is on you, your health, and your right to care and support.
The New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme (NEP) is a nationally funded health initiative, established in the late 1980s to reduce the spread of blood-borne viruses like HIV and Hepatitis C. It remains one of the country’s most effective public health programmes.
Our services are peer-led and peer-based, grounded in harm reduction, and health and human rights focused. People who use our services can access free, sterile injecting equipment, advice on safer use, and confidential disposal options for used items.
Ngā Kete is proud to be part of the Te Waipounamu Collective, alongside He Waka Tapu, Poutini Waiora, and Te Piki Oranga. Together we deliver the Needle Exchange Programme across the South Island.
Ngā Kete is a not-for-profit organisation with deep connections to our local community. For over 25 years, we have provided health and social services throughout Murihiku Southland, always focused on removing barriers and making sure support is within reach for everyone. Our work is grounded in aroha ki te tangata (love for the people). That’s why we believe in making access to harm reduction tools simple, stigma-free, and safe.
Harm reduction is about meeting people where they are, recognising that drug use is a reality and that safety and health must come first.
We work to:
You can select:
☐ Alcohol wipes & water
☐ BD Needles
☐ BD Syringes
☐ Starter packs
Simply use our form to select how many of each you need, enter your address and submit.
You can now order directly from our website. It's easy, fast, free, and discreet.
Coming Soon - our mobile needle exchange will be available in Queenstown, Alexandra and Oamaru.
We'll be at accessible community locations every fortnight. Stay tuned for dates and locations. These will be updated every three months right here on the site (under the interactive map).
Invercargill
Dunedin
For nation-wide ordering use the New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme website.
Click here >
Invercargill
Dunedin
