To check crime in a New Zealand suburb before you buy or rent, look up the address on CrimeCheck. It shows reported crime for the surrounding area unit from NZ Police data since February 2022: how the area compares with the national average, whether crime is rising or falling, what kind of crime it is, and where and when it happens.
Updated 27 Oct 2026
Five things to check about crime in a suburb
- 01How it compares
“Vs national avg” compares the area's monthly reports with the average NZ area unit. Compare suburbs in the same city too: a town centre will always out-score a quiet residential street.
- 02Which way it's heading
A high but falling number can be a better bet than a low but rising one. Check the year-on-year change and the monthly trend back to 2022.
- 03What kind of crime
For a home, burglary matters more than shoplifting. A high total driven by theft at a nearby mall says little about the street you'd live on.
- 04Where it happens
The location breakdown shows how much is reported in homes versus shops, streets and car parks.
- 05When it happens
Late-night peaks usually point to bars and nightlife. Weekday daytime peaks often mean burglary while people are at work. Visit at those times, not just at the open home.
- // All of this, for any addressOpen the address lookup
Suburb crime report: $49
The free lookup shows the area. The report puts it in context: how it compares with the suburbs around it, what that means for a home, and what to ask before you sign.
- How the address compares with the six nearest suburbs and the city average
- Its rank among every area unit in the city
- Burglary and home-crime breakdown against the NZ average
- Busiest and quietest times by hour, day of week and time of year
- Recent crime news near the address, checked by hand
- Questions to ask the agent or landlord, your insurer and the neighbours
- A PDF to keep, print or share with whoever you're buying or renting with
What crime data can’t tell you
- >Counts are per area, not per person. Areas with shopping centres, transport hubs or nightlife report more crime because more people pass through, not because more people live there.
- >It's reported crime only. Some crime is never reported, and reporting rates differ between communities.
- >Area units are suburb-sized. Every address in an area unit shows the same figures. Two streets in the same area can feel very different.
- >Small numbers jump around. Counts under 6 are hidden to protect privacy, and a change from 8 to 12 reports isn't a trend.
Checklist if you're buying a home
- 1Look up every address on your shortlist and note the comparison, the trend and the burglary count side by side.
- 2Visit at the busy times the hour-of-day chart shows, not just at a weekend open home.
- 3Get a house and contents insurance quote for the address before you go unconditional.
- 4Talk to the neighbours and ask whether there's a local Neighbourhood Support group.
Checklist if you're renting
- 1Look up the address before the viewing so you know what to ask.
- 2Ask about locks, outdoor lighting and where you can park. NZ landlords must provide locks that keep the property reasonably secure.
- 3The landlord's insurance doesn't cover your belongings. Consider contents insurance, especially where burglary is common.
- 4Check the street at night, especially if the area has late-night peaks.
Compare suburbs by region
All NZ regionsAfter you move: monthly crime alerts
Questions about checking crime before you move
Can I see crime for a specific street?
No. NZ Police data is published by area unit (roughly suburb-sized), so every address in an area unit shows the same figures. Use it to compare areas, then visit the street yourself.
Does a high number mean a suburb is unsafe?
Not on its own. Areas with shops, transport hubs or nightlife report far more crime because so many people pass through. Look at the type of crime and where it happens before deciding.
Where does the data come from?
NZ Police victimisation data: 1.38 million reported victimisations from February 2022 to June 2026, aggregated to Stats NZ area units.
Is it free?
Yes. Looking up an address, browsing suburbs and the monthly email alerts are all free, with no account needed. If you want more detail on one address, there's an optional $49 suburb crime report.
CrimeCheck figures are aggregates of public victimisation data, compared against the NZ area-unit average. They are not an official assessment of any place, business or person, and not advice to buy or rent. Read our methodology & terms.