Discovery of a small trace of methamphetamine meant a Housing NZ property in Northland had to be decontaminated at a cost of $15,000.
Housing NZ property services general manager Marcus Bosch said one house returned a positive result from five tested in Northland for methamphetamine last year.
"The vast majority of Housing NZ tenants are good neighbours and respect their tenancies," Mr Bosch said. "However, we do not tolerate criminal activity in our homes. If we find that methamphetamine is being used or manufactured we will terminate the tenancy."
In 2014, Housing NZ tested 196 properties across the country for methamphetamine. Of these, 101 properties, or 52 per cent, were found to be contaminated.
When tested, the reading of the house in Kawakawa was actually within Ministry of Health guidelines.