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New Zealand 2019 Crime & Safety Report

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New Zealand 2019 Crime & Safety Report New Zealand 2019 Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand. The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses New Zealand at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions. Overall Crime and Safety Situation The U.S. Embassy in Wellington does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizen Services (ACS) unit cannot recommend a particular individual or establishment, and assumes no responsibility for the quality of services provided. Review OSAC’s New Zealand page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Crime Threats There is minimal risk from crime in Wellington and Auckland. In general, crime is less prevalent in New Zealand than in major U.S. cities. According to the Global Peace Index 2018, New Zealand was ranked the second-safest country in the world. A majority of the country’s population lives in the larger urban areas of Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, all of which lead the country in criminal activity and associated arrests. In major urban areas, street crimes, such as thefts from vehicles, are routine occurrences, and foreign tourists are frequently victims. Year-end statistics for 2018, however, show a 3.5% decrease in violent and petty crimes throughout New Zealand compared to 2017. The use of weapons in crimes remains an infrequent occurrence throughout New Zealand; arrests for weapons-related offenses continue to decline. The number of homicides, however, rose from 48 in 2017 to approximately 60 in 2018 (final figures are still pending). Transportation-Safety Situation For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Road Safety and Road Conditions New Zealand has over 60,000 kilometers of paved roads, including motorways that connect the major metropolitan areas of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown. These roads have widths comparable to Western highway standards; however, roads in rural areas are slightly narrower than most of those found in the U.S. Due to New Zealand’s unique topography, and the fact that most of the major roadways linking cities and towns consist of just two lanes, passing vehicles can be dangerous. 1 Most traffic laws are comparable with Western standards. Traffic flows on the left side of the road. There are numerous roundabouts (traffic circles) that can be confusing and dangerous for those who are unfamiliar with yielding to traffic coming from the right. These conditions, combined with the possibility of extreme weather, make it essential for newcomers to familiarize themselves with local laws and procedures before driving a motor vehicle. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s Report Driving Overseas: Best Practices. Terrorism Threat Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns There is minimal risk from terrorism in Wellington and Auckland. According to New Zealand counter-terrorism authorities, the country’s current national terrorism threat level is LOW, indicating that a terrorist attack is possible but not expected. Police have identified a small number of ISIS supporters, but do judge these individuals to constitute active threats. New Zealand has not been the specific target of an international or transnational terrorist attack, but as a partner nation of the U.S. in the fight against terrorism, terrorists could view it as a potential target. In 2014, New Zealand began deploying members of the New Zealand Defense Forces (NZDF) to Iraq on a training mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In 2017, New Zealand made a small increase in its commitment to a non-combatant role in Afghanistan by extending its mandated contributions through June 2018 and with larger NZDF deployments in a non-combat role to Iraq through November 2018. As part of a September 2018 decision to extend the NZDF deployment to Iraq and the region through June 30, 2019, mandated personnel numbers were reduced. The Government is studying possible options for further contributions to Iraq and the region going forward. An appointed Assistant Commissioner within the New Zealand Police oversees national efforts to pre-empt and respond to terrorist attacks; these include a full-time Special Tactics Group for operational response, a full-time Specialist Search Group and National Bomb Data Center Manager, a Strategic Intelligence Unit, and liaison positions at New Zealand’s diplomatic missions abroad. In line with its commitments under international law, New Zealand has adopted procedures to implement UN resolutions against terrorism, including taking steps to prevent terrorist financing, recruiting, or other forms of support. New Zealand applies these measures against specific entities listed by the UN Security Council. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence Civil Unrest There is minimal risk from political violence in Wellington and Auckland. Protests occur occasionally at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington and the U.S. Consulate in Auckland. Common themes include anti-globalization, opposition to the war in Afghanistan, domestic political issues, immigration issues and indigenous (Maori) rights. Most protests are generally peaceful. 2 On June 22, 2018, about 200 protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Wellington and another 150 protesters gathered outside the U.S. Consulate in Auckland to condemn immigration detention camps in the U.S. These protests were peaceful in nature. In October 2018, approximately 200 protesters gathered at the New Zealand Defence Industry Association annual conference in Palmerston North. New Zealand Police arrested 12 protesters. In January 2018, approximately 50 protesters gathered at the annual Waihopai spy base protest. Religious/Ethnic Violence There is an indigenous Maori separatist group, but this group is typically not seen as a threat. Post-specific Concerns Environmental Hazards The possibility of natural disasters – including earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions – is one of the greatest security threats faced by those living and working in New Zealand. In November 2016, New Zealand experienced a 7.8 earthquake near Kaikoura (South Island) that resulted in two deaths and significant damage to infrastructure. Wellington was heavily impacted, with widespread power outages and property damage. Several buildings in the Central Business District (CBD) have been or are in the process of being demolished due to safety concerns. In 2011 a 6.3 earthquake struck Christchurch, causing major damage to buildings and infrastructure, and resulting in 181 deaths and at least 164 serious injuries. In 2010, a 7.1 earthquake in the Canterbury region of the South Island, centered in Christchurch, caused substantial structural damage but no deaths. As a result of these earthquakes, accommodations within Christchurch remain somewhat limited, and safety cordons restrict access to significant portions of Christchurch’s CBD. New Zealand’s port cities are susceptible to tsunamis. Although no recent tsunamis have caused significant damage, New Zealand experiences occasional tsunami watches and warnings related to seismic activity in the Pacific region. The Ministry of Civil Defence publicizes the issuance of tsunami watches or warnings through local and national media. New Zealand contains a number of active volcanoes. Although the probability of an eruption affecting a large area is very low, New Zealand’s 12 active volcanic areas are important considerations when developing emergency preparedness plans. The New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence promotes emergency preparedness, urging responsibility for personal safety and security in the event of a natural disaster. Civil Defence centers throughout the country serve as command posts and assistance centers during a natural disaster. It is critical for private-sector organizations to have a plan for emergencies that includes personnel accountability, personnel sustainability, communication, and continuity of operations. 3 Economic Concerns The New Zealand government identifies intellectual property theft as a serious crime, and is an active participant in international efforts to strengthen enforcement globally. This includes being a party to the multilateral Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, observing nine World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties, and actively participating in the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Council. New Zealand has allocated significant resources to legal reform of existing intellectual property laws and their enforcement, leading to convictions of copyright violators. The principal legislation governing copyright protection is The Copyright Act of 1994 and its amendments, including the Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Act passed in 2011, which put in place a three-notice regime to deter illegal file sharing. The first conviction under this amendment was in January 2013, when RIANZ (the Recording Industry Association of NZ) took action on behalf of two of its members. The Copyright Act contains a range of civil remedies to compensate copyright owners, and criminal offenses for the infringement of copyright works for commercial
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