Is New Zealand Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

New Zealand is widely recognized as a safe destination for solo female travelers. It is known for its hospitable people, low crime rates, and well-established tourism industry. Both urban and rural areas are typically safe to explore, and there are numerous hostels and accommodations that cater to solo travelers. As with any travel destination, it's always important to stay vigilant, especially at night, but overall, New Zealand is generally considered securely safe.

Safety rating

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How safe is New Zealand?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

New Zealand generally has low crime rates and is considered safe for a solo female traveler. However, as in any location worldwide, it is important to maintain personal safety by staying in well-lit and populated areas, keeping valuable belongings secure, and avoiding walking alone late at night in unfamiliar places. Like anywhere else, always stay alert and attentive to your surroundings.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Very safe

Public transportation in New Zealand is generally very safe. The country has a reliable network of buses, trains, and ferries that runs efficiently and on time. The stations and vehicles are clean, well-lit, and regularly patrolled by staff and security. It is common for solo travelers, including women, to use public transportation. However, as with any area, be aware of your surroundings and keep personal belongings close at all times.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Very low

New Zealand is generally a very safe country for solo female travelers, with a friendly and respectful culture. Instances of street harassment are relatively low compared to many other countries, although as with any other place, it can occur on occasion. All the same, it is rare and is not commonly reported in most parts.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

New Zealand largely enjoys a safe and secure environment with a relatively low crime rate. However, like everywhere else in the world, petty crimes like pickpocketing, purse snatching and theft from vehicles do occur particularly in popular tourist areas and larger cities. It is always advisable to take general precautions such as keeping valuables secure and maintaining a vigilant eye on your surroundings.

Is New Zealand worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 24 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.4/5

Safety

4.5/5

Food

4/5

Budget-friendly

3.5/5
Bella

Bella

Australia

Queenstown, Group travel

I absolutely love Queenstown. I have been there twice now, once with family and just last year with friends. You can easily spend 1-2 weeks here and not run out of things to do. There is always something to do and I didn’t once feel unsafe. Below are some of my top recommendations! Restaurants: - The Cow - oldest restaurant in Queenstown, very cosy vibes and great authentic Italian food - Pog Mahoney Irish Pub - right in the centre some of the best food I’ve ever had, if you live steak you have to go here it comes out sizzling on a hot plate and you cook it to your liking. - The Bathhouse - really cute breakfast spot right on the beach, really yummy scrambled eggs and stunning view - White & Wongs - Asian Fusion restaurant, the best chicken noodle soup (especially when you’re sick like I was) - madam woo - south Asian cuisine which I don’t normally have but it was so delicious. Honestly no matter where you go in Queenstown it’s probably going to be good every where we ate was incredible and most prices are pretty comparable mid - expensive. Accomodation - The best hostel is definitely Absoloot Hostel. It is the perfect location and really comfortable dorm rooms and beds. Staff were really lovely, great view from kitchen and not too crowded but also nice and social if that’s what you’re looking for. Activities - SKIING - if you’re there in winter - lots of adrenaline activités including bungee jumping, canyon swing (as pictured), water rafting, waterfall canyoning - hikes: the main hill in Queenstown can be hiked, takes 1-2 hours if you’re walking from the centre of Queenstown, hooker valley track is a few hours drive from queesntown but so so worth it if you have a car to get there. The most beautiful place we visited.

Posted: January 10, 2025
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Lina

Lina

New Zealand

Auckland, Solo travel

Auckland is nice. It's just that they don't have a lot of stuff to see. You're only gonna need a week for the experience. At least that's what it was like for me. Mount Eden is very nice though. The art museum is also very interesting.

Posted: December 27, 2024Experienced: September, 2024
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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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Frauke

Frauke

Netherlands

New Zealand, Solo travel

New Zealand is the best country for hiking and meeting nature. Don't go there for the food. But you'll be amazed by the kindness of the people and the spectacular views. Many 1 to 7 day hikes are easy to access

Posted: August 6, 2024Experienced: April, 2023
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Megan

Megan

New Zealand

Kaikoura, Solo travel

Very cute wee town with a good vibe to it and a beautiful drive on either side. If you’re looking to relax a bit and this is the stop for you. Nothing overly exciting going on but surrounded by beautiful nature and lovely hikes.

Posted: July 23, 2024
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New Zealand, Solo travel

Did a backpacking solo trip to New zealand for 15 months in 2018 :) I travelled from the North to the South and then back to the North in a camper van. It was an experience I would recommend everyone should have! Along my trip I took different jobs to finance my travels and met so many other lovely travellers that way, some of whom I am still in touch with today! I highly recommend working on fruit orchards, as it was always fun and you meet the most other travellers. I also definitely recommend buying a car to be more flexible. Personally, I would suggest buying a camper van, as it was amazing to be able to sleep right at the most beautiful nature spots. I felt really safe at all times! If you have any questions, feel free to ask me😊

Posted: July 21, 2024Experienced: October, 2018
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Aurora

Aurora

Germany

New Zealand, Family travel

It feels much safer than in Europe in general. It’s less people, and the nature is so peaceful. The air in the mountain is out of the world refreshing. You need a car to travel easily everywhere in the country. But we took the flexibus, and sign up for some local tourism groups which gets rid of the hassle of driving and planning a lot, and the groups were also good.

Posted: June 22, 2024
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Anwesha

Anwesha

India

New Zealand, Couple travel

Highlights of my NZ trip & things I’d strongly recommend not to miss: 1. Rotoura- the geothermal formations with their vibrant colors are simply one-of-kind experience. 2. Lake Tekapo- another unique experience of staying in a small quite village where lights go out in the evenings for you to fully enjoy the famour Tekapo night sky and stargazing 3. South Island drive- If possible self drive through south island. Its very safe and easy drive. Roads are the best I’ve driven on with lovely countryside views Rest of my itenary included Auckland and Queensland cities, Hobbiton day trip, Hahei beach town (and a hike to Cathedral Cove), and a tour of the famous Milford Sound. We went to see the very instagrammable Wanaka Tree too enroute to Tekapo and i found it to be very over rated. I’d rather recommend stopping over at The Puzzling World in Wanaka- a very interesting illusion museum!

Posted: June 19, 2024
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Jessica

Jessica

New Zealand

Nelson, Family travel

This was a mixture of takaka, Nelson, and kahurangi national park is incredible so is Harwords hole you have to go spend a week just tramping and driving around a car is definitely a nessassery though.

Posted: June 17, 2024Experienced: March, 2024
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Is New Zealand safe for women?

Safety index

4 /5

Based on 52 local experiences

Crime index

1.9 /5

Based on 52 local experiences

Auckland

It really depends on the area your in but generally, I'd say it's a really safe country!! The only thing is, like any other place in the world, I wouldn't risk walking in the dark alone even if it's considered a really safe place :)) Rich/Safe Areas in Auckland to Least... North Shore & East Auckland ⬇️ West Auckland ⬇️ South Auckland

Posted: January 14, 2025
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Christchurch

Very safe city overall! There are of course the occasional crimes committed here but I have never been a victim of one and I would personally say nz is one of the safest countries in the world. A great place for solo travel

Posted: January 13, 2025
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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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Victoria

Victoria

About Me

I'm an Australian New Zealander who has traveled all my life. I have a background in broadcasting but now teach English to adults. Conversation with other travelers is one of my favourite things.

Speaking

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Stay with locals in New Zealand

Samantha

Samantha

New Zealand

Can host for:

3 days

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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Victoria

Victoria

Wellington

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I'm an Australian New Zealander who has traveled all my life. I have a background in broadcasting but now teach English to adults. Conversation with other travelers is one of my favourite things.

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to New Zealand

Linda

Linda

About Me

I am a 22 year old Austrian. Currently I am traveling through New Zealand with a working holiday visa looking forward to meeting new people

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Lina

Lina

About Me

Hi I'm Lina, I'm currently on a work & travel adventure in New Zealand. I'm 20 years old and I'm originally from Germany. I love expressing myself through creativity and I have played waterpolo for ten years now.

Speaking

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Safety in New Zealand