New survey shows drop in crime

Fewer people are becoming victims of crime in New Zealand, according to new data published today. The latest results from the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS) show that in the eight years to 2025, the proportion of victims of crime has dropped from 30% in 2018 to 28% in 2025. The number of victims in 2025 equates to 1.2 million adults. “This is the lowest level of people experiencing crime since the NZCVS began in 2018. The result was driven by drops in both personal and household offences,” says Ministry of Justice General Manager Sector Insights, Rebecca Parish. For the first time since the NZCVS began, the proportion of adults who were victims of interpersonal violence fell significantly below 2018 levels – five percent in 2025 compared to seven percent in 2018. Burglary was experienced by nine percent of households (184,000) – also a significantly lower rate than in 2018 (12 percent or 210,000 households). Other household offences, such as trespass and vehicle-related offences, were also at their lowest levels since the survey began. The proportion of adults who were victims of fraud and cybercrime has been on a downward trend since peaking in 2022...