Is Wellington safe?
Very safe. Wind, earthquakes and occasional late-night trouble around bars are bigger concerns than crime.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-04-28.
- Homicide rate in New Zealand: 1.5 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in New Zealand: 9.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 111 · Ambulance 111 · Fire 111 · All emergencies 111.
Safety in Wellington at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Car break-ins at lookouts and beaches, bike theft, and occasional bar-district fights late on weekends. |
| At night | Courtenay Place is busy; side streets are quiet but generally safe. Buses and trains stop late, so use rideshare or taxi. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Usual care with drinks and late-night walking on quiet streets. |
| Other risks | Strong winds that close ferries and flights; Earthquake risk; know your building's evacuation route; Narrow winding coastal roads |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake online accommodation listings asking for deposits
- Look-alike NZeTA sites charging extra fees
Take care
- Courtenay Place after midnight: drunk crowds and fights
- Never leave valuables in cars at Mount Victoria or Makara
Calmer areas to stay
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
How Wellington compares 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 Wellington safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Usual care with drinks and late-night walking on quiet streets.
Is Wellington safe at night?
Courtenay Place is busy; side streets are quiet but generally safe. Buses and trains stop late, so use rideshare or taxi.
What is the crime rate in Wellington?
Car break-ins at lookouts and beaches, bike theft, and occasional bar-district fights late on weekends. Nationally, New Zealand records 1.5 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Wellington?
Police 111 · Ambulance 111 · Fire 111 · All emergencies 111.
More about Wellington
Going to Wellington solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Wellington meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Metlink Wellington
- Wellington Airport
- WellingtonNZ
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.