Oceania
Is New Zealand safe?
L1Exercise normal precautions
Is New Zealand safe?
Very safe, with low violent crime. Car break-ins at trailheads and viewpoints are the main crime; weather, rivers and roads cause most serious incidents.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-04-28.
- Homicide rate: 1.5 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 9.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 111 · Ambulance 111 · Fire 111 · All emergencies 111.
- Solo women: Safe for solo women; normal precautions in city centres at night and care with hitchhiking and isolated freedom-camping spots.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Sudden alpine weather changes; check DOC track alerts
- Narrow, winding roads where many crashes involve visiting drivers
- Cold rivers and surf; drownings are common
- Earthquakes and volcanic activity
Common scams
- Rental damage claims; photograph the car or campervan at pick-up
- Look-alike NZeTA sites charging extra fees
Laws visitors break by accident
- Freedom camping only where allowed; vehicles need self-containment certification for many sites
- Drink-drive limit is 0.05% blood alcohol, zero for drivers under 20
- Holding a phone while driving brings fines and demerit points
Safety by place in New Zealand
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Auckland | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Queenstown | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Wellington | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Christchurch | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Rotorua | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Wanaka | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Taupo | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Bay of Islands | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Milford Sound | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lake Tekapo | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Coromandel | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Tauranga | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Dunedin | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Nelson | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Waiheke Island | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Kaikoura | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Franz Josef | 5/5 · Very safe |
Quick answers
Is New Zealand safe for tourists?
Very safe, with low violent crime. Car break-ins at trailheads and viewpoints are the main crime; weather, rivers and roads cause most serious incidents.
Is New Zealand safe for solo female travelers?
Safe for solo women; normal precautions in city centres at night and care with hitchhiking and isolated freedom-camping spots.
What is the emergency number in New Zealand?
Police 111 · Ambulance 111 · Fire 111 · All emergencies 111.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- NZeTA, Immigration New Zealand
- New Zealand Traveller Declaration
- Department of Conservation
- ACC
- Speedtest Global Index: New Zealand
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.