Because stimulant medication for ADHD is a restricted substance, there are rules around travelling with it. Here’s what you need to know about travelling to and from New Zealand with your medication.

Leaving New Zealand with medication 

If you take medication for ADHD and plan to travel overseas, make sure to look into the rules the country you are traveling to has for restricted substances. You may need to provide evidence of your medication and there may be limits to the amount you can bring in with you. 

Southern Cross has advice on managing medication abroad, including the countries with the strictest rules. 

Traveling with medication (scti.co.nz)

Healthify He Puna Waiora has tips here

Medicines and travel (healthify.nz)

Visit the embassy or high commission of the country you're visiting:

Embassies - New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (mfat.govt.nz)

Bringing medicines into New Zealand 

Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora has information on bringing medicines, including controlled drugs into New Zealand for personal use.

You may enter New Zealand with controlled medication, provided you declare it on your passenger arrival card to present to New Zealand Customs. You need to show the controlled drug:

• is required for treating a medical condition for you or for someone under your care travelling with you

• has been lawfully supplied to you in the country of origin
• is no more than one month’s supply
   

To show this, you should carry:

• a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating that you are being treated with the controlled drug, and the name and strength of the drug
• all medicines, including controlled drugs, in the original labelled containers

Moving to New Zealand with ADHD medication 

If you are moving to New Zealand from overseas, you will need to visit a medical practitioner to be issued a special authority number to have your medication prescribed in New Zealand. 

It's a good idea to have your medical notes and information from your overseas specialist when you arrive in New Zealand. You can book an online appointment with a specialist before you arrive to make the transition easier. 

For more detail see:  

Bringing medicines into New Zealand (health.govt.nz)

Medsafe | New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority’s guide to importing medicines

Importing Medicines (medsafe.govt.nz) and

New Zealand Customs Service Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa advice on controlled drugs

Medicines (customs.govt.nz)