Is crime a serious problem in NZ? Is it bad where you live?

Updated: 9:13AM Thursday November 19, 2009

New Zealanders can recognise crime in other areas, but prefer to dismiss it as part of everyday life in their own, a study suggests.

The survey found that while more than 80 per cent of respondents agreed - or strongly agreed - crime was a serious problem in New Zealand, 63.2 per cent believed it was a problem only in other areas.

Is crime a serious problem in NZ? Is it bad where you live? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:

Cindy Binks (South Africa)
Thursday November 19, 2009 Reading the crime comments about the bad crime in New Zealand made me smile. Come to South Africa, as a tourist or as a resident and you will really know what high crime is all about. I wish that you could see my home, it is nice home in a good suburb but looks more like a fortress.

Electric fencing, alarm systems, panic buttons, burglar proofing on the inside of the the windows and spanish bars on every single window and door on the property. Your biggest expense now a days, apart from the mortgage is having enough security to protect your family and your possessions.

We have visited New Zealand (2008) and loved the country. First impressions, apart from the beautiful scenery, very few homes with even a hint of security. Thanks for letting me share my comments.

karen hawxhurst (United States of America)
Thursday November 19, 2009 DaveDog of Papakura:

The warm fuzzies? What are you prattling on about Dave?

So you are trying to tell me that all NZ Housing renters are bad people? What a load of old crock!

I lived in Remuera for a few years, until the rich drove me out with their attitudes, and the people who were trashing properties weren't low income people! A lot were rich peoples kids with nothing better to do.

Pleased you at least offered an apology to the exceptions to the rules.

And I stick to what I stated! You place all low income people in a project like some are suggesting here, you will have more problems than you do now. I know, I live here and see what the effects are. Not a good idea!

TomG (Canada)
Thursday November 19, 2009 Canukiwi - since when did I say it was a crimeless utopia here? What I said has been true for me. I have had my car damaged many times while visiting the country in NZ - I've never had it happen here (so far). The kids have left bikes and toys on the lawn here and they were there in the morning - not true of Hillsborough where I lived in Auckland. Why do people like you feel you need to get personal when others tell the truth of their experience? Guess you have a sad life with little better to do.

And I don't need to "justify" why I live here or anywhere else for that matter - I just stated some facts so what's your problem? Sheesh!

I also have to ask - has your group been following me around to note that the kids bikes actually were stolen and my car was damaged the last time I went to Kananaskis? I'd love to know how you can so adamantly say I wasn't telling the truth? Sheesh again.

Realist (Auckland)
Wednesday November 18, 2009 I moved from Australia to NZ a decade ago. I was never robbed in Aust. Since living in Auckland, my house has been burgled twice and my car stolen. I do believe there is a serious crime problem in Auckland (not sure about other places).

It is pretty obvious that the pathetic penalties for committing crime offer little deterance. There isnt even any point in asking police to catch more criminals, since they seldom are properly punished anyway.

It would vastly improve matters if they got rid of concurent sentencing ie. if a person burgled 15 houses actually got 15 sentences.

RM (Kapiti Coast)
Wednesday November 18, 2009 Crime in NZ is bad and it will only get worse as crims get softer treatments. Police & Justice have their hands tied by all the political crap that prevents them from doing their jobs. Hell, citizens can't even defend their private property without getting into trouble anymore & most of it starts from lack of discipline when they (the crims) are kids.

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