In general, New Zealand is a very safe country to visit. So long as you are aware of your surroundings and don’t try anything foolish, you should have a safe trip.

Safety tips and advice

Staying safe in a country that is unfamiliar to you is all about preparation. Do some research about where you’re going so you have an idea of what to expect and to avoid being caught off guard. Travel insurance is a great way to protect yourself and your assets when travelling to a new country.

Scams in New Zealand

Because New Zealand is one of the least cash-dependent countries in the world, visitors don’t need to bring a lot of money with them. However, visitors do need to be aware of scams and fraud, and where they share their personal or banking details. Be wary of free Wi-Fi providers, as these are unsecure networks where hackers can easily extract your information. If you need to use an app containing sensitive information, be sure to only use it on a secured network.

Crime in New Zealand

Serious crime rates are much lower in New Zealand compared to other countries. In fact, New Zealand is rated as one of the most peaceful, least corrupt countries in the world. Of the 163 countries in the 2023 Global Peace Index, rating the risk of personal violence, New Zealand was rated the fourth safest!

Of course, the country isn’t completely without crime, so it’s still advisable to keep your wits about you.

Should you enter a dangerous situation, call 111 for all emergency services.

What to do in the event of a natural disaster

New Zealand might be our next-door neighbour, but their landscapes and environment are very different. With this change of climate comes weather patterns and natural phenomena we aren’t used to at home. Here are the natural disasters to be aware of before you travel to New Zealand, as well as information on what you should do in case you find yourself in the middle of one.

Earthquake

Earthquakes are one of New Zealand’s biggest concerns as it’s on the boundary of two massive tectonic plates. Fortunately, the country has earthquake centres that monitor the plates’ movements to help predict the size. The truth is, earthquakes happen almost every day in areas like Wellington. However, they’re usually so tiny that most people don’t notice, or just feel a small tremor. That said, major earthquakes do happen in New Zealand, and you should know what to do in the event of one.

Tips for surviving an earthquake

If you are able to get outside, move to an open space where debris can’t fall on you. If you are inside, get away from glass or objects that could fall and hurt you and find a sturdy piece of furniture to use as shelter. Cover your head and wait until the shaking stops. Once it’s over, head outside but do not use elevators on your way.

Tsunami

With an earthquake often comes the threat of a tsunami. A tsunami is characterised when the land under water moves, causing a gap on the ocean floor. The water will shift to fill the gap but then returns with a powerful surge. You can tell if a tsunami is coming because where there was once water, there will suddenly be nothing. If you see this, know a wall of water is headed your way very soon. New Zealand has not experienced any major tsunamis recently – in fact, it has only seen about 10 higher than 5 metres since 1840, but it’s still good to be prepared.

Tips for surviving a tsunami

You have to act quickly when there is a tsunami warning. The first thing you should do is head for elevated land well away from the shore. If you don’t have time to get to higher ground, go inside and shelter yourself away from the windows. Know there might be more waves coming, so try to stay sheltered until you are certain it’s clear or hear otherwise.

Floods

Floods are probably one of your bigger concerns when visiting New Zealand. This country receives a lot of rain throughout the year – most of New Zealand receives 1,201-1,600 mm annually, but other areas see over 6,401mm – so naturally, flooding happens.

Tips for surviving a flood

Try and get to high ground like you would for a tsunami. If you are outside and there isn’t time to get higher, find something sturdy to hold onto and turn away from the rushing water.

If you’ve come into contact with cold water, there is a possibility that you could develop hypothermia. If you experience symptoms of hypothermia (such as confusion, lack of coordination, drowsiness, or slurred speech), seek medical help. While waiting for help to arrive, remove wet clothing and cover yourself (or the affected person) with blankets. Never put direct heat like a hot pad on someone – they need to return to their normal body temperature first and direct heat could put strain on the heart. If you are able to swallow, slowly drink a warm beverage.

Volcanic eruption

New Zealand is loaded with volcanos – Auckland itself is built on a 360 square kilometre volcanic field with about 50 vents. Though significant eruptions are rare, the White Island/Whakaari volcano off the North Island erupted in 2019, killing 22 people. New safety regulations will come into effect starting April 2024 requiring operators and booking agents to fully disclose any risks and work more closely with agencies that monitor seismic activity. But if you plan on touring an active volcanic region, you should ask your tour operator plenty of questions first.

Tips for surviving a volcanic eruption

Unless you are directly under the erupting volcano, your biggest issue will be the ash in the air. Try to cover your mouth and nose to filter out as much of the impurities as possible. Move as far away from the volcano as you can in effort to find cleaner air.

The chances of a natural disaster occurring while you’re visiting New Zealand are pretty slim, but in case one does, tune into the radio for further advice on what to do. If you have a real emergency, dial 111 for help.

Travel insurance

We all know that the good times can take a slight detour when travelling. When the going gets tough, Travel Insurance Direct policies aim to do the heavy lifting and may assist with medical emergencies or other mishaps to help keep your trip moving in the right direction, so you can refocus on the fun.