Author Archives: CK Rahi

How the December 2025 Roadside Drug Screening Will Work For over 13 years, Advance Diagnostics has proudly partnered with Pathtech Pty Ltd to supply New Zealand workplaces with the DrugWipe 5S and DrugWipe 6S devices, that uses the same technology as DrugWipe which will be used by NZ Police. As the sole NZ distributor, we […]

As evidenced in Cummings v KAM Transport Limited [2025] NZHRRT 8 Understanding the Situation In this case, we observed a truck driver who initially declined a random drug test but subsequently participated and received a clear result. Unfortunately, despite this negative finding, the employer shared details of the initial test refusal with staff members outside […]

Today I want to reflect on a deeply saddening story that underlines something we often think we understand—but may not fully act on: how alcohol in the workplace, even when it feels benign or “part of the culture,” carries risks that can be lethal if not carefully managed. What happened In March 2022, a young […]

At Advance Diagnostics, we recognise that the safety of our skies relies not only on technical excellence but also on the wellbeing of the people who work within aviation. A robust and evidence-based approach to drug and alcohol management is central to this. Since the introduction of the new Civil Aviation Act earlier this year, […]

What is Liquid Ecstasy/ Fantasy Why do people use it? What are the risks of GHB/GHL? Why is it sometimes called “liquid ecstasy” or “Fantasy”? The bottom line 👉 In simple terms: GBL/GHB is a dangerous drug that can quickly move from “fun” to fatal, especially if mixed with alcohol. Overdose is a very real […]

Maxwell Parks v WorkPac Pty Ltd,FWC 8Aug2025 A miner’s sacking unravelled after anomalies in testing — from altered results to broken chain-of-custody.This case shows why accurate devices and strict policy compliance are non-negotiable. 1. Cut-off Mismatch 2. Chain-of-Custody Failures These lapses undermined the integrity and reliability of the test results. 3. Policy Breaches These were […]

Mr Jethro Aisa v Southern Cross Protection Pty Ltd ([2025] FWC 1856) – highlighting the key issues, arguments, Fair Work Commission (FWC) findings, and employer learnings related to drug and alcohol testing: As we continue to support safe, drug-free workplaces, two recent Fair Work Commission decisions offer timely lessons.In Mr Jethro Aisa v Southern Cross […]

Don’t Wait for a Crisis — Stop Workplace Harms Before They Begin. “An ounce of prevention is worth a tonne of cure — especially when safety, wellbeing, and livelihoods are at stake.” Recently, Customs officers seized over $58 million worth of cocaine hidden in a shipping container at the Port of Tauranga — the largest […]

A recent case in Australia has brought workplace safety sharply into focus. According to the ABC, Linq Bus Company faces over 50 criminal charges, including multiple counts of exposing passengers and workers to serious risk due to ongoing safety breaches. These include failing to act on positive drug test results, inadequate driver supervision, and a […]

A recent RNZ investigation has highlighted the troubling growth of methamphetamine use across Aotearoa New Zealand. Once considered a fringe issue, meth is now increasingly present in our communities — and, by extension, our workplaces. At Advance Diagnostics, we understand this challenge not just as a health and safety concern, but as a shared responsibility. […]

Court Case Summary – LH Holding Pty Ltd, Victoria Australia Key Takeaways How Advance Diagnostics Can Assist To read more on this case click here. Contact us or phone one of our friendly staff on 0800 2 TestDrug 0800 283 783

Police in New Zealand are set to begin roadside drug testing by the end of the year after the enabling legislation passed its third reading in Parliament. With methamphetamine use in New Zealand reaching record highs, as revealed by wastewater testing, the introduction of roadside drug testing is seen as a necessary measure to curb […]

The dilemma of medicinal cannabis in the workplace is a growing issue for both employers and employees, particularly when it comes to drug testing, workplace safety, and unfair dismissal claims under the Fair Work Act 2009. The case of Adam Mills v Glamorgan Spring Bay Council highlights some of these challenges, as it dealt with […]

Aviation Workforce – No Place For Drugs or Alcohol Ensuring the safety of aviation operations is paramount, and a critical component of this is the regular drug and alcohol testing of all personnel involved in aviation activities. This includes pilots, crew members, ground staff, baggage handlers, and other workers within the aviation sector in New […]

Aviation safety is under scrutiny after Samoa Airways revealed that several staff tested positive for drugs, including a pilot on a prescription sleeping pill. The airline said recent drug testing, showed 10 percent of the tested staff returned positive results for illegal and prescriptive substances, as well as alcohol. This incident serves as a wake-up call, […]

Former Ports of Auckland Limited (POAL) chief executive, Tony Gibson, has been found guilty of failing to meet his due diligence obligations as an officer under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. The verdict comes six months after his high-profile trial. This case is particularly significant as it marks the first time since […]

In a major international operation, Australian authorities recently intercepted the largest attempted cocaine importation in the nation’s history, uncovering 2.34 tonnes of the drug. The haul, with an estimated street value of NZ$837 million, highlights the scale and sophistication of modern drug trafficking networks. This amount could have resulted in over 11.7 million street-level transactions—a […]

Three people have been arrested and charged more than two years after the largest ever cocaine shipment was found on New Zealand shores. The trio have also been charged with importing 30kg of cocaine that arrived in Tauranga in December 2021, also from Panama. Police launched Operation Bask following the discovery, and on Monday said […]

Transport Minister Simeon Brown wants police to conduct at least 200,000 breath tests, and has announced funding for a new roadside drug driving test.The transport minister’s target for alcohol and drug testing was announced as part of Road Policing Investment Programme, which confirmed $1.3 billion for road policing over the next three years. Click here […]

The Chairperson of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee is calling for public submissions on the Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill. The bill would enable the rollout of random roadside oral fluid screening tests to better detect and deter drug-impaired drivers. The Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Act 2022 introduced a random roadside oral fluid testing […]

Everyone metabolises differently and how does the number of standard drinks will affect one afterwards is not an easy answer. A truck driver who scraped the wall of Auckland’s Waterview Tunnel multiple times while transporting a car during peak hour was allegedly more than seven times the legal alcohol limit, police said. Click here for […]