New Zealand made a strong statement supporting both human rights and harm reduction.

The statement said that the provision of needle exchange in New Zealand was responsible for the country having one of the lowest rates of HIV among people who inject drugs anywhere in the world. It then discussed New Zealand’s approach to formulating drug policy, and that there was a need to implement policies that work rather than just make people feel good. It also explained the country’s drug regulation model.

New Zealand called for the prioritisation of human rights and the need for states to be compliant with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. New Zealand expressed its opposition to the death penalty, and expressed support for civil society’s involvement in the forumulation of drug policy.