Five areas in the North Island have been identified as major methamphetamine manufacturing hotspots.

In a University of Auckland study, researchers used police figures to identify where cooking of the drug is concentrated.

Among the hotspots identified were Newton in central Auckland, Henderson Valley to the west of the city, and Helensville in the north-west.

Central Hamilton and Herekino in the Far North have also been identified.

Figures show, between 2010 and 2015, there were 561 clan lab busts. Sixty-nine percent of those were in the upper North Island. 57 percent were in residential homes.

Study co-author Dr Daniel Exeter pointed out that drug-making can damage property and pose serious health risks.

A drug lab registry could help reduce harm, Exeter said.

"Certainly having some piece of mind for tenants landlords or new home buyers would certainly be a really important step to acknowledge the risk that's out there."