Is New Zealand safe to travel to?

Yes—New Zealand is widely regarded as a safe destination, with a Low government advisory (20/100) and Low practical traveler risk (28/100). Most visitors have a smooth trip, though it’s still important to stay alert in busy areas and keep an eye on local updates, especially around demonstrations or disruptions.

What are the main travel risks in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, the most common travel risks are situational: occasional civil unrest or protests, transport disruptions (weather-related delays and remote-area logistics), and tourist scams. While everyday crime levels are generally low, travelers should still secure belongings in cities and take extra care when planning long drives or rural travel.

What is the current travel advisory for New Zealand?

New Zealand is currently listed at Level 1: “Exercise normal precautions,” with a Low advisory score of 20/100. This indicates routine travel safety measures are typically enough for visitors.

What safety tips should I know before visiting New Zealand?

Keep basic precautions in place: store passports and valuables securely, avoid leaving items visible in parked cars, and save local emergency contacts. If you’re road-tripping, plan for changing conditions, longer distances, and limited services in remote areas, and check local alerts for any transport disruptions or public gatherings.

New Zealand

Oceania

Higher risk than 19% of countries. Main concerns: civil unrest and transport reliability.

Government Advisory

Low

Level 1: Exercise normal precautions

Traveler Practical Risk

Low

Confidence: high. Main drivers: civil unrest, transport reliability, tourist scams.

Risk Profile

Score breakdown across 7 risk dimensions

📢Civil Unrest

Oceania avg: 5350

🚌Transport

Oceania avg: 5050

🎭Scams

Oceania avg: 5150

🌊Natural Disaster

Oceania avg: 2724

🏥Health

Oceania avg: 3518

⚠️Violent Incident

Oceania avg: 1812

🔓Petty Crime

Oceania avg: 157

Practical advice

✓Follow standard urban travel precautions and keep local emergency contacts available.

Data Sources & Updates · Synced 5/10/2026

Government Advisory: U.S. Department of State

Advisory published: 4/29/2026 (by U.S. Department of State)

Our last sync: 5/10/2026

Indicators: World Bank Governance & Stability Indicators (2024)

Recent update: Updated 2026-05-10 from refreshed advisory and traveler risk indicators.

Frequently Asked Questions — New Zealand

Is New Zealand safe to travel to?: Yes—New Zealand is widely regarded as a safe destination, with a Low government advisory (20/100) and Low practical traveler risk (28/100). Most visitors have a smooth trip, though it’s still important to stay alert in busy areas and keep an eye on local updates, especially around demonstrations or disruptions.
What are the main travel risks in New Zealand?: In New Zealand, the most common travel risks are situational: occasional civil unrest or protests, transport disruptions (weather-related delays and remote-area logistics), and tourist scams. While everyday crime levels are generally low, travelers should still secure belongings in cities and take extra care when planning long drives or rural travel.
What is the current travel advisory for New Zealand?: New Zealand is currently listed at Level 1: “Exercise normal precautions,” with a Low advisory score of 20/100. This indicates routine travel safety measures are typically enough for visitors.
What safety tips should I know before visiting New Zealand?: Keep basic precautions in place: store passports and valuables securely, avoid leaving items visible in parked cars, and save local emergency contacts. If you’re road-tripping, plan for changing conditions, longer distances, and limited services in remote areas, and check local alerts for any transport disruptions or public gatherings.

Related Countries

Also in Oceania

Australia

Federated States of Micronesia

Fiji

Similar Risk Level

Andorra

Argentina

Aruba