Cannabis still popular

The discovery of two well-developed cannabis plots in Northland confirms the drug is still popular despite the methamphetamine boom, police say.

Trampers discovered the plots - covered in netting for pest-protection - in the Whanui Conservation Area, about 10km north of Whangarei.

A police spokesman said police expected to find and seize a record number of cannabis plants this growing season.

In the past five years cannabis plant seizures have been steadily increasing, showing cannabis is still the "base funding" for other drug and criminal offending, police say.