Alcohol and other drug (AOD) use disorders are among New Zealand's most significant public health challenges — with heavy drinking, methamphetamine use, and cannabis dependency causing substantial harm to individuals, families, and communities. A complex funding system — combining government health contracts, welfare system funding, and philanthropic grants — supports prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
Government-funded AOD services
Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) is the primary funder of AOD treatment services:
- Residential withdrawal management (detox)
- Residential rehabilitation (short and long-term)
- Community-based AOD services (counselling, case management)
- Opioid substitution therapy (methadone, buprenorphine)
- Dual diagnosis services (co-occurring mental health and addiction)
MSD and community services
The Ministry of Social Development funds some AOD-related social services — particularly employment and housing support for people in recovery.
ACC
Accident Compensation Corporation funds some alcohol-related injury treatment — and injury prevention work addressing alcohol.
Peer support and recovery community organisations
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics Anonymous), and a growing recovery community organisation sector provide peer support — primarily volunteer-based but increasingly grant-supported.
Health New Zealand contracts
Most AOD service funding flows through Health NZ service contracts — competitive or non-competitive contracts with community AOD providers. These are the backbone of addiction treatment funding.
Gaming trusts
Gaming trusts are significant discretionary funders for AOD services:
- Operational support for recovery houses and rehabilitation services
- Equipment and facilities for treatment services
- Peer support and community recovery programmes
Note: gaming trust funding has a particular resonance in AOD services given the relationship between gambling harm and alcohol — some trusts have specific policies about AOD service funding.
Pub Charity and Lotteries
Community-focused funders with some AOD service investment.
Community foundations
Local community foundations fund AOD services as part of community health investment — particularly for services addressing gaps in government-funded provision.
The Todd Foundation and similar trusts
Some private foundations fund AOD services, particularly for innovative models and underserved populations.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army runs Bridge Programme residential addiction services — one of New Zealand's largest addiction treatment networks.
Odyssey Trust
Odyssey Trust provides residential, community, and young people's addiction services in Auckland and beyond.
Teen Challenge
Faith-based residential rehabilitation — one of the longer-established residential services.
He Ara Hou / Māori addiction services
Māori-led AOD services operating within kaupapa Māori frameworks — increasingly important for addressing the significant overrepresentation of Māori in addiction services.
Alcohol and Drug Helpline
National helpline providing information and referral.
Regional community AOD services
Hundreds of community AOD counselling and support services operate regionally — often in partnership with PHOs, mental health services, and community organisations.
Gambling harm and addiction services overlap — problem gambling shares neurological pathways with substance addiction, and the gambling harm sector has a similar funding model (government-contracted services, some philanthropy). The Problem Gambling Foundation and similar organisations sometimes provide both gambling harm and AOD services.
Residential rehabilitation
Community treatment
Recovery support
Prevention and early intervention
Workforce development
Stigma awareness: AOD applications must acknowledge and address stigma — people with addiction face discrimination in service access, employment, and housing. Show how your programme actively reduces stigma.
Criminal justice connections: many people seeking AOD treatment have criminal justice system involvement. Show how your programme is accessible to people with justice records.
Dual diagnosis: most people with serious AOD issues also have mental health challenges. Show how you address co-occurring issues or connect with mental health services.
Cultural responsiveness: Māori are overrepresented in AOD services. Demonstrate culturally responsive practice — both Māori-specific services and mainstream services with genuine cultural competency.
Family support: addiction affects entire families. Show how your programme supports family members alongside the person with AOD challenges.
Tahua's grants management platform supports funders investing in addiction and AOD services — with service provider management, outcome tracking for recovery metrics, compliance monitoring, and the portfolio tools that help health funders manage complex AOD service investment portfolios.