Is New Zealand Safe for Women? Crime Rates in New Zealand

Safety rating

Safe
4.1 /5

Women living in New Zealand consider the safety level to be relatively high, with an overall safety rating of 4.1 out of 5.

Crime rating

Low
1.8 /5

Women living in New Zealand consider the crime rate to be relatively low, with an overall crime rating of 1.8 out of 5.

Violence rating

2.9%

On average 2.9% percentage of women in New Zealand have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner at some time in their life, according to OECD Data.

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Crime & Safety Statistics

Based on 40 experiences

Safety rating:

4.1/5Safe

Safety walking alone after dark:

3.5/5Safe

Safety using public transport:

4.4/5Safe

Crime rate:

1.8/5Low

Worries of being sexually harassed:

1.5/5A Bit Worried

Worries of being sexually assaulted or raped:

1.4/5Not at all worried

Worries of being physically attacked:

1.3/5Not at all worried

Worries of home broken and things stolen:

1.3/5Not at all worried

Worries of being mugged or robbed:

1/5Not at all worried

Worries of being kidnapped or murdered:

1/5Not at all worried

Is New Zealand safe for women?

Paekākāriki

Paekakariki is a small village, it feels very safe as there are lots of houses around, young families, and a friendly community. The train station is well lit. I would still use caution if walking alone at night and not go walking alone in park areas or the beach etc after dark as standard, but generally it is a safe place.

Posted: October 30, 2024
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Auckland

I grew up in Auckland and we left our front door unlocked in our house all the time and never had a problem. Some crime is on the rise but I still feel safe walking alone at night and living alone in NZ. Police are active and there is strong community spirit. Pick-pocketing is not common at all. New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the vote. You can and should expect to be treated fairly and equally. New Zealand is over 50% atheist so you are free to be yourself, without religious restrictions. Gay marriage is legal in NZ. NZ can be racist towards people that are not white, especially in the South Island where it is a pre-dominantly white population. Due to the low population of people from Africa in NZ, if you are of African descent you may get treated like an exotic flower.

Posted: October 29, 2024
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Wellington

On the whole very safe, it’s a pretty small city and people generally look out for each other. Like anywhere I wouldn’t say walking alone at night is recommended but I have many times and it’s always been okay :))

Posted: October 20, 2024
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Wellington

Pretty safe. Usual sort of stuff applies though like it’s not guaranteed safe to walk around at night. You wouldn’t really experience any issues day to day. Chill place with good vibe. Some homeless people etc.

Posted: October 14, 2024
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New Plymouth

Generally New Plymouth is safe and you can expect to be able to walk around uninterrupted during the evening. The community are also very supportive and should you need help, those around you are likely to assist.

Posted: September 7, 2024
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Rotorua

Rotorua is a place where one neighbourhood can be so lovely and tight but but if you turn a corner you could suddenly be surrounded by gangs, police and drug/alcohol abuse. The public transport isn’t too unsafe however if you are disabled it is a vulnerable place to be with a presence of discrimination. I would not be comfortable walking around Rotorua after dark by myself.

Posted: August 21, 2024
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Koree

Koree

Wellington

Wellington is very safe. I personally have never experienced anything untoward from men. However, I have experienced cat-calling over the years, but this seems to have lessened as the world gets more progressive and men begin to use more of their brains. Keep your usual smarts about you, follow your instinct, and make sure you're with people if you're drinking.

Posted: August 9, 2024
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sarah

sarah

Nelson

Nelson is a sleepy town but sometimes when it’s so quiet it feels rather eerie. Mugging doesn’t occur, but as a woman I think it’s always wise to be with another human in the middle of the nights. I have never been attacked and I’ve lived there most of my life!

Posted: August 3, 2024
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Whangarei

Whangarei is fairly safe when using common sense! Don’t walk alone past 10pm, everywhere during day time is fine to explore. Most crimes aren’t gender targeted - you will not feel uncomfortable walking around as a woman.

Posted: July 31, 2024
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Dunedin

Dunedin has felt quite safe, except for the occasional drunk and rowdy students. However, compared to other places I have been, they are much tamer. This can be a problem only very late into the night or early in the morning. In general, very safe and the people are quite helpful as well.

Posted: July 30, 2024
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Is New Zealand worth visiting?

Travel rating

4.4 /5

based on 22 experiences from female travelers

Syaza

Syaza

Malaysia

Christchurch, Solo travel

I was travelling solo from Malaysia to Christchurch for a conference. I met a few friends there and would go around with them. But most of the time I also like to walk alone. Although a few years have passed since the mosque attack, I also feel cautious especially as a Muslim hijabi. But it was all okay, people were friendly and Christchurch to me looks like a city of rebuilding and relearning, especially after the earthquake. I was partially sponsored for my accommodation and flight so I wasn't sure of the rate. I stayed at an Airbnb on my last night as it was near the airport, it was a really nice airbnb with super friendly hosts I walk a lot, the food was okay, but I also tried the Uber and Uber food there.

Posted: August 30, 2024Experienced: April, 2023
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Rana

Rana

Saudi Arabia

Queenstown, Solo travel

I visited Queenstosn in December 2023. What an amazing place, the unbelievable nature and in top of that there are tons of activities you can do. In general, the quality of food is great in New Zealand. Queenstown is a very safe town for female solo travelers.

Posted: August 24, 2024
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Meet locals in New Zealand

Samantha

Samantha

About Me

I am friendly,easy going, good sense of humour, honest, smoker, like to have a drink, but not everyday and nothing too strong, interested to learn about other countries and cultures and of course to travel to various countries.

Speaking

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sarah

sarah

About Me

I have 3.5 months off and I’m coming to find the summer!!! 🤩

Speaking

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Safety in New Zealand

Frequently asked questions

Is New Zealand safe?

Women living in New Zealand consider the safety level to be relatively high, with an overall safety rating of 4.1 out of 5.

Is New Zealand safe to walk alone at night?

Women living in New Zealand consider walking alone at night to be relatively safe, with an overall safety rating of 3.5 out of 5.

Is public transport safe in New Zealand?

Women living in New Zealand consider public transport to be relatively safe, with an overall safety rating of 4.4 out of 5.

What is the crime rate in New Zealand?

Women living in New Zealand consider the crime rate to be relatively low, with an overall crime rating of 1.8 out of 5.

What is the risk of being sexually harassed in New Zealand?

Women living in New Zealand consider the risk of being sexually harassed to be relatively low, with an overall risk rating of 1.5 out of 5.

What is the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped in New Zealand?

Women living in New Zealand consider the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped to be very low, with an overall risk rating of 1.4 out of 5

What is the risk of being physically attacked in New Zealand?

Women living in New Zealand consider the risk of being physically attacked to be very low, with an overall risk rating of 1.3 out of 5

What is the risk of burglary in New Zealand?

Women living in New Zealand consider the risk of burglary to be very low, with an overall risk rating of 1.3 out of 5

What is the risk of being mugged or robbed in New Zealand?

Women living in New Zealand consider the risk of being mugged or robbed to be very low, with an overall risk rating of 1 out of 5

What is the risk of being kidnapped or murdered in New Zealand?

Women living in New Zealand consider the risk of being kidnapped or murdered to be very low, with an overall risk rating of 1 out of 5