A new nationwide survey commissioned by AMI indicates that strong neighbourhood ties may play a vital role in preventing petty crime in New Zealand. Findings show that community-minded behaviour, particularly among women and older adults, is helping to improve residential security across the country.
The study reveals that seniors aged over 65 are more likely than any other age group to monitor neighbours’ homes when they are away. Specifically, 54% of seniors reported doing so – almost one-third more than respondents aged 25 to 44. Older adults were also the most likely to maintain regular contact with neighbours and engage in neighbourhood watch activities.
Homeownership appears to be a contributing factor to these community connections. One in five homeowners said they knew their neighbours very well, compared to one in 12 renters. Additionally, 40% of homeowners said they keep an eye on neighbouring homes during absences, while only 21% of renters said the same.
AMI executive general manager customer Wayne Tippet (pictured) highlighted the impact of community engagement on home security. “Our data shows a 20% drop in residential theft and vandalism-related claims from 2019 to the post-Covid year of 2023. This correlates with the period that New Zealanders were spending more time at home,” he said.
“We often think of extra home security as deadlocks, guard dogs, and fancy alarms, but you cannot underestimate the power of a community keeping watch. In this way, being a great ally to the people next door can be just as important.”
He advised people travelling over the Matariki long weekend to notify trusted neighbours about their movements. “We see that break-ins, theft, and accidental damage claims increase on average by around 10% on long weekends, compared to regular weekends,” he said.
Survey results also indicate that New Zealanders tend to be more neighbourly than their international counterparts. Eighty-six percent of those surveyed said they had met their neighbours, and 72% described their relationship as positive. This contrasts with a 2025 US study where only 31% of Americans said they knew all their neighbours. In the United Kingdom, a 2023 survey found that 61% of respondents felt a sense of belonging in their communities.
Rural residents in New Zealand reported even stronger ties, with 52% saying they knew their neighbours well, compared to 42% of urban dwellers.
“New Zealanders know that neighbourliness isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a real asset when it comes to keeping our homes and communities safe,” Tippet said.
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