The Government is moving to put restrictions on so-called new generation party pills.
Following advice from an advisory committee on drugs, the Government is to allow dimethylamylamine, or DMAA, to remain on public sale, but with new restrictions.
Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne says the substance will be scheduled as a restricted substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
That will stop it being sold to anyone under 18 years of age, the promotion of the product in advertising and its sale anywhere that also sells alcohol.
Ministry of Health officials will also talk with the party pill industry about possible dosage limits, he says.
The man who invented party pills based on the chemical compound BZP says he is delighted the new party drug will be staying on the shelves.
BZP was banned by the Government in April last year. Almost immediately afterwards, DMAA-based pills were sold to party goers as a replacement high.
The inventor of DMAA and BZP, Matt Bowden, welcomes the decision, saying an outright ban would only empower the black market.