Provincial New Zealand has a big problem on its hands.

The Herald has obtained two years of wastewater results police have used to monitor consumption of illegal drugs, since late 2018.

The results show smaller towns such as Kaitaia, Opotiki and Wairoa are consuming sometimes up to four times the national average of methamphetamine.

Detective Inspector Blair MacDonald told Mike Hosking the communities showing the highest readings are often struggling with a number of things.

"Whether it be food depravation, lack of employment opportunities, and of course if you can't feed your tamariki, and there's not a lot going on in your life, a hit of methamphetamine is going to make that go away for a moment."

MacDonald says police are taking a strong prevention apporach and work with a range of agencies to help people kick their addictions.

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