How Safe is Your Home? Find out with New Zealand’s 2024 Burglary Stats

As the cost of living continues to skyrocket in 2024, the once-uncommon occurrence of your home being burgled has become all too common across Aotearoa, with NZ Police recording almost 45,000 burglaries so far this year. This staggering number has many Kiwis wondering, how safe is my home?

Using Police Victimisation Data from the beginning of the year to November, we've pulled the data and run the numbers on which regions within the country are most likely to be targeted by would-be thieves.

In this article, you'll discover how many burglaries are in your area and learn how to secure your property this summer to avoid becoming another statistic.

High Burglary Rate Regions in New Zealand

From the data we collected, three regions stand out for all the wrong reasons: Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, and Waikato. With burglary rates well above the national average of 0.92 per 100 people, these areas highlight the unique challenges homeowners face across different parts of the country. Let’s take a closer look at these high-risk regions and what might be driving their numbers.

Hawke’s Bay

Hawke's Bay might be the land of sun, surf, and sauvignon, but it's also become the burglary capital of New Zealand, with a rate of 1.38 burglaries per 100 people. Napier and Hastings, the region's largest urban centres, lead the charge with burglary rates of 1.56 and 1.16 per 100 people, respectively. Both cities face the classic urban challenge of anonymity, where densely packed neighbourhoods provide plenty of opportunities for burglars to operate unnoticed.

Rural areas aren’t spared either. While smaller, Wairoa District has the dubious honour of having the highest burglary rate in the region, at 1.60 per 100 people, partly due to the isolation of many properties.

Gisborne

With a burglary rate of 1.25 per 100 people, Gisborne follows closely behind Hawke's Bay. While smaller in population, the per capita rate reflects widespread vulnerabilities across its semi-rural and coastal communities. Spread-out neighbourhoods and limited natural surveillance create ample opportunities for criminals.

Waikato

Often the butt of jokes in New Zealand, the Waikato region might not take the top spot in burglary rates, but with 6,300 reported incidents and a rate of 1.26 per 100 people, there’s little to celebrate. Hamilton, the region's largest city, embodies the challenges of urban living: high-density neighbourhoods where burglars can blend into the crowd and access multiple targets.

In contrast, rural areas across Waikato deal with isolation. Homes on large plots of land often feel more vulnerable due to their seclusion, with garages and outbuildings being frequent targets.

Low Burglary Rate Regions in New Zealand

At the other end of the spectrum, Otago and Tasman stand out as the regions with the lowest burglary rates in New Zealand. Both regions boast rates far below the national average of 0.92 per 100 people, offering insights into what makes a community safer from property crime.

Otago

Otago earns its title as the safest region in the country, with a burglary rate of just 0.36 per 100 people. Smaller towns like Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago, with rates as low as 0.16 and 0.18 per 100 people, benefit from a slower pace of life and strong community ties. Even Dunedin, the region's largest urban centre, maintains a modest rate of 0.42 burglaries per 100 people.

This sense of familiarity among residents makes it harder for burglars to operate unnoticed. Still, even in these low-risk areas, homeowners shouldn't grow complacent.

Tasman

Tasman shares similar advantages, with a burglary rate of 0.43 per 100 people. Its tightly-knit rural communities act as a natural deterrent, where strangers stand out, and unusual activity doesn't go unnoticed. While this contributes to its low burglary rate, Tasman's isolation can still pose risks for homeowners who neglect basic security measures.

Taking a Closer Look at Burglary Trends in New Zealand

Urban Density vs. Rural Isolation

You may have noticed that both urban and rural areas are recording high burglary rates. So, is anywhere safe? Depending on the context, geographic isolation can be a burglar’s worst enemy or greatest advantage.

In high-density neighbourhoods like Napier and Hamilton, burglars take advantage of dense neighbourhoods and busy lifestyles that leave residents distracted and disconnected. Meanwhile, in rural areas like Wairoa and Waikato, isolation provides burglars privacy and time to act, making spread-out properties and outbuildings prime targets.

Both extremes, rural isolation and urban anonymity, create opportunities for crime. The key lies in striking a balance: fostering connected communities and taking proactive security measures, like securing garages and maintaining awareness, regardless of where you live.

The Role of Community Vigilance

What sets low-risk regions like Otago and Tasman apart is their strong sense of community. Familiarity among neighbours and fewer strangers passing through creates a natural deterrent against crime. On the other hand, high-risk areas often suffer from weaker social cohesion, whether it's due to urban anonymity or rural isolation.

The Money Factor

It's no coincidence that regions like Hawke's Bay and Gisborne, which struggle with higher unemployment and lower incomes, also have higher burglary rates. Economic pressures can push property crime up, creating a tough cycle for these communities to break. Meanwhile, more economically stable areas like Otago and Tasman tend to see lower crime rates, proof that financial security often translates to physical security.

Why Your Garage Could Be Putting Your Home at Risk

Garages are often the Achilles' heel in home security. They're the first place burglars check because, let's be honest, many of us forget to treat them like part of the house. Whether it's an old, rickety tilt door or a basic lock that hasn't been upgraded in years, garages make life easy for burglars.

And it's not just tools and bikes they're after. These days, the Kiwi garage is much more than a convenient storage space; it's home to all sorts of prized possessions and equipment. Burglars know this, and they're not shy about taking advantage. In fact, many break-ins start through garages, often because they're easier to crack than the front door.

Top Tips for Securing Your Garage in NZ

The good news? It doesn't take much to beef up your garage security. Here are some simple, practical steps:

• Upgrade Your Door: If you've got an old door, it might be time to swap it out for something sturdier, like a sectional or Flex-A-Door. These modern options are harder to break into and also look a lot better.
• Install a Decent Lock: Basic locks won't cut it. Look for heavy-duty auto-locking systems or even deadbolts for extra peace of mind.
• Use a Smarter Opener: Garage door openers with rolling code technology, like Dominator's Tri-Tran+™, are game-changers. They create a new code every time you open the door, so no one can copy your code and sneak in later.
• Light It Up: Motion-sensor lights around your garage can make a massive difference. Burglars don't love being lit up like a Christmas tree, so this simple step can go a long way.
• Don't Forget the Side Doors and Windows: If your garage has side doors or windows, make sure they're just as secure as your main house entry points. Add locks, bars, or security film to keep them out.

Secure Your Home with Dominator

Burglars thrive on opportunity, but a few simple steps can make all the difference. Don’t wait until it’s too late; secure your home this summer with Dominator’s top-notch garage doors! Our quality garage door products will help you avoid becoming another burglary statistic. Get in touch with the team today.

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