Drug and alcohol rehab referrals: More people waiting over three weeks

Multimedia Journalist, Newstalk ZB·Newstalk ZB·1 Nov, 2026 04:00 PM4 mins to read‌Only 40.3% of people in MidCentral, 49% of people in Hutt Valley and 57% of people in Capital Coast were referred within three weeks. Photo / 123rfA growing number of people are waiting more than three weeks to be referred to rehab services for drug and alcohol issues, particularly in the lower North Island. Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora data released to Newstalk ZB under the Official Information Act shows, on average across the health