This section examines coronial data on fatal, accidental overdoses in New Zealand between 2016 and 2025, and Te Whatu Ora mortality data covering the period of 2011 to 2022. We provide further information about why and how we used the two datasets in this report on pages 2–3 (Datasets and caveats). This data includes accidental drug overdose deaths and excludes intentional deaths. A small proportion of cases covered are deaths where intent was undetermined. We have excluded other drug-related death causes, such as communicable diseases, short- or long-term health complications, and chronic health conditions that may occur as a result of drug use. The number of deaths in 2025 appears to have increased in comparison to previous years. That said, we must interpret that increase with caution considering that nearly half of these are still provisional (active) cases.*