2018 Crime & Safety Report

According to the current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication, New Zealand has been assessed as Level 1: Exercise normal precautions.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

U.S. Embassy 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 location, and assumes no responsibility for the quality of services provided.

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Wellington and as being LOW-threat locations for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Please review OSAC’s New Zealand-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to -sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Crime Threats

In general, crime is less prevalent in New Zealand than in major cities in the U.S. A majority of the country’s population lives in the larger urban areas of Auckland, , and Wellington, all of which lead the country in criminal activity and associated arrests. Although complete statistics for 2017 are not available, mid-year indicators show a 0.3% increase in violent and petty crimes throughout New Zealand in comparison to 2016.

In major urban areas, street crimes (thefts from vehicles) are routine occurrences, and foreign tourists are frequently victims.

The use of weapons in crimes remains an infrequent occurrence throughout New Zealand, and arrests for weapons-related offenses continue to decline.

Homicides have declined from 2016, as have fraud and deception-related offenses.

Transportation-Safety Situation

For more information, please review OSAC’s Report, “Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.”

Road Safety and Road Conditions

New Zealand is serviced by over 60,000 kilometers of paved roads, including motorways that connect the major metropolitan areas of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown. These roads are comparable to Western standards in terms of width; however, roads in rural areas are slightly narrower than those found in the U.S. Due to New Zealand’s unique topography, and 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 opposite side of the road from the U.S. There are numerous roundabouts (traffic circles) that can be confusing and dangerous for those who are unfamiliar with giving way to 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, please review OSAC’s Report “Driving Overseas: Best Practices.”

Terrorism Threat

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Wellington and Auckland as being a LOW-threat locations for terrorist activity directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns

New Zealand continues to be a partner of the U.S. in the fight against terrorism. In late 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 to its commitment to a non-combat role in by extending its mandated contributions through June 30, 2018 and with larger NZDF deployments in a non-combat role to Iraq through November 30, 2018. New Zealand has not been the specific target of an international or transnational terrorist attack in recent years, but as a partner nation, it could be viewed by terrorists as a potential target.

The enacted legislation in 2002 that increased New Zealand’s capability to pre-empt and respond to terrorist attacks. This included the appointment of an Assistant Commissioner within the New Zealand in 2002 to oversee efforts, a full-time for operational response, a full-time Specialist Search Group and National Bomb Data Centre Manager, a Strategic Intelligence Unit, and liaison positions at New Zealand’s diplomatic missions.

New Zealand, in line with its commitments under international law, adopts 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.

Police have identified a small number of supporters of ISIS but have not judged these individuals to constitute active threats.

The Financial Crime Group established in December 2009 undertook significant work to develop and implement the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009. This act enables the proceeds of crime to be forfeited to the Crown based on the civil standard of proof rather than requiring a criminal conviction.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Wellington and Auckland as being a LOW-threat locations for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

2 Civil Unrest

Protests occasionally occur at sites including 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, and indigenous (Maori) rights. Most protests are generally peaceful.

There were several significant protests in Auckland against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement in 2017 that drew several thousand protestors at each event. These events were generally orderly, with few arrests reported. Protests in Wellington have included a small protest against the visiting U.S. Secretary of State to New Zealand’s Parliament in June 2017. In October 2017, 200-300 protestors gathered during the Defense Industry Conference, resulting in nine arrests.

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, volcanic eruptions – is one of the greatest threats faced by people living and working in New Zealand. In November 2016, New Zealand experienced a 7.8 earthquake near Kaikoura () 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 February, 2011 a 6.3 earthquake struck Christchurch. The earthquake caused major damage to buildings and infrastructure, especially within the CBD, and resulted in the 181 deaths and at least 164 serious injuries. In September 2010, a 7.1 earthquake in the Canterbury region of the South Island, centered in Christchurch, causing substantial structural damage but no deaths. As a result of these earthquakes, accommodations within Christchurch remain slightly 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/warnings related to seismic activity in the Pacific region. The Ministry of Civil Defence announces when tsunami watches/warnings have been issued through local and national media.

New Zealand contains a number of active, dormant, and extinct 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 government, through its Ministry of Civil Defence, promotes emergency preparedness, urging people to take personal responsibility for their safety and security in the event of a natural disaster. New Zealand has Civil Defence centers throughout the country to serve as command posts and assistance centers during a natural disaster. However, it is critical

3 for businesses to have a plan for emergencies addressing personnel accountability, personnel sustainability, communication, and continuity of operations.

Critical Infrastructure

In November 2010, an underground coal mine exploded near Greymouth (South Island). Some 29 miners were killed. Assistance from the U.S., Australia, and other countries was sought and delivered. The environment in the mine was not stabilized to allow recovery of the bodies.

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 gain. The are able to investigate and prosecute copyright pirates, and a convicted person may be imprisoned for up to five years or fined up to NZD$150,000.

Trademarks are protected under the Trade Marks Act, which entered into force in 2003. The Patents Act 2013 brings New Zealand patent law into substantial conformity with Australian patent law. However, the 2013 Act stops short of precluding all computer software and has a provision for patenting “embedded software.”

Seizures of counterfeit items at the border by Customs New Zealand has increased markedly, with approximately 39,500 clothing and household items seized in 2016 (almost twice as many as 2015). Customs administers border protection measures set out in the Trade Marks Act 2002 and the Copyright Act 1994 regarding intellectual property. Its role is to intercept any suspected counterfeit goods and to report the incident to the rights holder for action. Rights holders can lodge a border protection notice under the Trade Marks and/or Copyright Acts. It is an offense under the Trade Marks Act to counterfeit a registered trademark or import or to sell goods with a falsely applied registered trademark. Maximum penalties are five years imprisonment or a NZD$150,000 fine.

Privacy Concerns

Some organizations have expressed concern about the Government of New Zealand’s abilities to collect information as covered in the Privacy Act. The Privacy Act was sworn into law in 1993; there have been several revisions to cover the changing technology fronts. The Privacy Act controls how "agencies" collect, use, disclose, store, and give access to "personal information." The privacy Codes of Practice does the same, but they apply to specific areas – particularly those

4 of health, telecommunications, and credit reporting. The Privacy Act covers government departments, companies of all sizes, religious groups, schools, and clubs. At the heart of the Privacy Act are 12 privacy principles:  collection of personal information (principles 1-4)  storage and security of personal information (principle 5)  requests for access to and correction of personal information (principles 6 and 7, and parts 4 and 5 of the Act)  accuracy of personal information (principle 8)  retention of personal information (principle 9)  use and disclosure of personal information (principles 10 and 11), and  use of unique identifiers (principle 12).

There are also four principles covering public registers, which reflect internationally accepted standards for the safe handling of personal information.

Drug-related Crimes

The New Zealand Police reports that organized crime groups continue to control the illegal drug trade. Methamphetamine continues to be the most prevalent street drug used, followed closely by marijuana. A 2004 change in legislation restricted access to pseudophedrine, the most common chemical needed for the manufacture of methamphetamine. As a result, illegal importation of pseudoephedrine has steadily increased. Overall arrests for drug-related crimes have remained consistent, and efforts to eliminate cannabis crops and the manufacturing/supply of methamphetamine have proved somewhat successful. From January-November 2017, police and customs jointly seized over 403 kg of methamphetamine across 1,879 seizures, both at the border and through investigations.

In 2009, New Zealand passed several legislative initiatives to tackle the growing organized crime strongholds of illegal drugs, extortion, and human trafficking. These initiatives have provided law agencies with greater authorities. is attempting to pass legislation to include the Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Legislation Bill, which would provide a range of measures to combat organized crime, to include the targeting of illicit activities (money laundering, bribery, and drug-related crime).

Police Response

In comparison to the U.S., the New Zealand Police has limited resources and personnel. This constrains their response times to calls and to the types of response dispatched. However, the police typically respond to major incidents with the appropriate personnel necessary. The New Zealand Police, with government support, seek to employ between 1,000-1,800 new recruits over the next three years.

How to Handle Incidents of Police Detention or Harassment

Police harassment, misconduct, and corruption are not significant issues. Individuals who have been detained have rights enshrined under the New Zealand Bill of Rights, including the right to legal representation (which includes an initial free consultation).

5 Crime Victim Assistance

In an emergency, report crimes to the New Zealand Police by dialing 111. You may also contact the local New Zealand Police station for non-emergencies. Visit the website Find Police Stations for contact information.

Police/Security Agencies

The New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for reducing crime and enhancing community safety. The Police provide services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They operate from more than 370 community-based police stations and have a staff of 12,000 personnel who respond to more than 850,000 emergency calls each year. The police operate by land, sea, and air. The New Zealand Police are trained to a Western standard and are actively involved in crime prevention and response. They have specialized units to deal with armed offenders and hostage situations.

The is accountable for the operational response to threats to national security, including terrorism, and has a key role through The Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination (ODESC). ODESC is made up of government and non- government agencies that work together to manage counter-terrorism efforts.

Medical Emergencies

In the event of an emergency, dialing 111 will connect callers to a dispatch center for police, fire, and ambulance services.

Unlike in the U.S., consultations with specialists are only by referral from a General Practitioner. Doctors and medical centers/clinics can located via the New Zealand Yellow Pages under “Medical Practitioners.” Every New Zealand White Pages telephone book has a section at the beginning devoted to “Medical Practitioners and Medical Centres” (the green pages), with a comprehensive list of practitioners. In addition, contact information for each of the hospitals in the main cities is repeated on White Pages online.

Contact Information for Available Medical Services

For a list of available medical facilities, please refer to the U.S. Embassy’s Medical Assistance page.

Available Air Ambulance Services

The air ambulance service Life Flight and can be contacted at +64-4-387-9591

Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for New Zealand

OSAC Country Council Information

The RSO is actively seeking to re-launch OSAC in New Zealand and establish a regular meeting schedule. Interested private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s East Asia Pacific team with any questions.

6 U.S. Embassy Location and Contact Information

Embassy Address and Hours of Operation

U.S. Embassy Wellington 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon 6011 Wellington, New Zealand

Hours: Mon-Fri, 0800-1700 (except U.S. and local holidays)

Embassy Contact Numbers

Post 1: +64-4-462-6035 Embassy Operator: +64-4-462-6000 Duty Officer: +64-9-303-2724 Ext 2900 Website: https://nz.usembassy.gov/

Consular coverage for multi-post countries

The U.S. Consulate in Auckland, which provides consular services for all of New Zealand, also provides consular services to Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands, the Pitcairn Islands, and Antarctica.

Nearby Posts

Consulate Auckland: https://nz.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/auckland/

Additional Resources

New Zealand Country Information Sheet

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