New Zealand: crime and justice

How many New Zealanders are victims of crime?

28% of New Zealand adults, about 1.2 million people, were victims of crime in 2025, down from 30% in 2018, according to the Ministry of Justice's New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey. The ministry said this is the lowest level since the survey began in 2018.

The survey asks people about crimes they experienced in the previous 12 months, including crimes not reported to the police. It does not cover crimes against businesses or children, drug offences or homicide.

Official sources: Ministry of Justice: New survey shows drop in crime

How common is burglary in New Zealand?

9% of New Zealand households, about 184,000, experienced a burglary in 2025, down from 12% (210,000 households) in 2018, according to the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey. Other household offences, such as trespass and vehicle-related offences, were also at their lowest levels since the survey began.

The survey measures crimes that households say they experienced, whether or not they were reported to the police, so it captures more burglaries than police records.

Official sources: Ministry of Justice: New survey shows drop in crime

How common is fraud and cybercrime in New Zealand?

10% of New Zealand adults, about 440,000 people, were victims of fraud and cybercrime in 2025, according to the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey. The rate has been falling since it peaked in 2022 but remains higher than the 8% recorded in 2018.

Fraud and cybercrime include scams, card fraud and online deception. The Ministry of Justice reported that while fraud fell for most groups, adults aged 65 and over, disabled adults and repeat victims of fraud saw increases.

Official sources: Ministry of Justice: New survey shows drop in crime · Ministry of Justice: Key Stories report analyses crime stats

Is violent crime rising in New Zealand?

3% of New Zealand adults were victims of violent offences in 2025, lower than the 4% recorded in both 2024 and 2018, according to the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey. The share who were victims of interpersonal violence fell to 5%, from 7% in 2018, the first time it has been significantly below 2018 levels.

The ministry's earlier violent crime release found 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime in the year to October 2025 than two years before. Survey estimates have margins of error, so the ministry reports only changes it finds to be statistically significant.

Official sources: Ministry of Justice: New survey shows drop in crime

How many people are in prison in New Zealand?

New Zealand's prison population is published every quarter by the Department of Corrections in its prison statistics; the June 2026 figures could not be read from the department's site on 14 October 2026.

The quarterly statistics give the number of people held in prison on the last day of the quarter, split between those on remand (awaiting trial or sentence) and those serving sentences, with breakdowns by gender, ethnicity, age and offence. Stats NZ also publishes annual prison and remand population tables on a calendar-year basis, with data supplied by Corrections.

Official sources: Department of Corrections: Quarterly prison statistics

What is the homicide rate in New Zealand?

In 2022, the intentional homicide rate in New Zealand was 1.5 per 100,000, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The peak was 2.3 per 100,000 in 2019 and the low 0.7 per 100,000 in 2017. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 0.8 per 100,000, and New Zealand placed 4th highest of 10. World rank, highest first: 61st of 99.

How many women are murdered in New Zealand?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2022, is 1.1 per 100,000. The peak was 1.3 per 100,000 in 2019 and the low 0.5 per 100,000 in 2013. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 0.5 per 100,000, and New Zealand placed 4th highest of 9. Worldwide: 49th of 94.

What is the male homicide rate in New Zealand?

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime puts the homicide rate for men in New Zealand at 1.8 per 100,000 in 2022. The peak was 4.0 per 100,000 in 2019 and the low 0.9 per 100,000 in 2017. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 1.2 per 100,000, and New Zealand placed 3rd highest of 9. Worldwide: 56th of 93.