New Zealand

Recommended Vaccinations For New Zealand

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).

Recommended Medications For New Zealand

There are no recommendations for New Zealand at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for New Zealand

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in New Zealand.

Hepatitis A

There is a risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in New Zealand through contaminated food or water.

For Some Travellers

West Nile Fever

There is a risk of acquiring West Nile virus in this country.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Rabies

The risk of acquiring Rabies is low. New Zealand is free of dog rabies. However, it may be present in bats. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) may be at risk.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with a sick person.

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.

Safety & Security in New Zealand

Personal Safety

New Zealand maintains low crime rates and generally provides a safe environment for visitors. Petty theft remains the most common risk you face, particularly in tourist areas of major cities and at parks. Campervans and rental cars attract thieves because they assume these vehicles contain valuables. Theft from vehicles is widespread enough that you need to remove all items from your car when parked. Hotels and accommodations in tourist areas have also seen increased theft from rooms. Keep valuables in a hotel safe rather than leaving them visible. South Auckland and the central business district of Auckland experience higher crime rates than other areas. While violent crime is rare and unlikely to affect travelers, assault rates have increased in recent years. You might encounter intoxicated individuals in some city areas late at night, particularly in parts of Auckland’s CBD. Fraud has become the most common crime in New Zealand, affecting about 10% of residents, mostly through online scams and unauthorised bank transactions. The 2019 Christchurch attacks were an isolated incident, and New Zealand’s terrorism threat level remains low.

Extreme Violence

Violent crime in New Zealand is rare and unlikely to threaten travelers. The country has very low rates of violence compared to many destinations. In 2023, 185,000 New Zealanders experienced violent crime, which includes assault, robbery and sexual assault. Much of the reported violent crime relates to minor offences. Acts intended to cause injury made up 85% of all crime victimisations in 2023, though most assaults are not severe. The number of violent crime victims increased in mid-2024 but showed a declining trend in the latter half of the year. Serious violence remains uncommon. Homicide rates are low, averaging about 68 victims per year when excluding the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attack. Most violence occurs between people who know each other rather than involving strangers. The 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, which killed 51 people, represent an anomaly rather than a pattern. New Zealand’s terrorism risk level is classified as low. Police maintain strong security measures and the country ranks as the second most peaceful nation globally.

Political Unrest

Political protests in New Zealand typically follow peaceful traditions. In November 2024, tens of thousands participated in what may be the country’s largest protest, marching against the Treaty Principles Bill that opponents said would erode indigenous Maori rights. Around 42,000 people gathered at Parliament in Wellington after a nine-day march from the country’s far north. These demonstrations remained peaceful and reflected democratic expression rather than civil disorder. The protests opposed government policies affecting Maori rights, including the removal of co-governance arrangements and the disbanding of the Maori Health Authority. While the protests were significant, they involved peaceful marches, songs and speeches rather than violence or disruption to travelers. In April 2025, Parliament voted down the Treaty Principles Bill by 112 votes to 11, with politicians singing together after the vote. The 1981 Springboks rugby tour sparked major civil disturbances, representing the largest unrest since the 1951 waterfront dispute, but such events are not characteristic of modern New Zealand. Current political debate centers on Maori rights and treaty interpretation, but this plays out through democratic processes rather than street conflict that would affect visitors.

Areas To Avoid

New Zealand doesn’t have areas that visitors need to avoid entirely, but you should exercise extra caution in certain locations. South Auckland and the central business district of Auckland have higher crime rates than other parts of the city. Queen Street in Auckland at night sees intoxicated people and occasional confrontations. Parts of Auckland’s CBD late at night can involve minor concerns from intoxicated individuals or petty crime. Fenton Road in Rotorua has been identified as an area where you should be more alert, particularly after dark. Hamilton’s central business district and suburbs like Fairfield and Melville experience higher rates of theft crime. Tourist areas in major cities attract pickpockets and bag snatchers who take advantage of distracted visitors. Parks and recreational areas also see incidents of petty theft. Campervans parked at popular tourist locations become targets because thieves know they likely contain valuables. Rather than avoiding entire areas, you need to be more vigilant in city centers at night. Choose well-lit and populated streets for walking after dark. Most of New Zealand remains extremely safe, and the scenic areas that attract tourists don’t present crime concerns during daylight hours.