No advisory against travel
“This travel advice page covers New Zealand. See separate travel advice for Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue.”
Updated 2026-10-07T11:16:51Z
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Is Dunedin safe? 🇳🇿
New Zealand · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Dunedin scores 91/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Dunedin is a very safe city for travelers, with low crime rates and strong governance. The main risks for visitors are tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Dunedin 🇳🇿
New Zealand · Assessed 13 October 2026
91
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime84/100GoodCrime index 48.8 / 100
Sentiment87/100GoodGenerally Positive
Advisories100Good
Stability89Good
Health83Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for New Zealand: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:34.9136662-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Low risk
96
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
75 / 100 (Generally Positive)
75
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
133k residents
85
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.5 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6New Zealand1.5World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
90
Robbery / mugging
LowRobbery is uncommon, with no specific reports targeting visitors in the dossier.
Pickpocketing
LowPickpocketing is not a significant reported issue for visitors in Dunedin.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Generally Positive
87/100
Reported feel75Generally Positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk96Low risk
While specific traveler sentiment data is absent, the low crime rates and positive official advisories suggest a generally safe and welcoming environment for visitors.
Yes. Dunedin is a very safe city for travelers, with low crime rates and strong governance.
Dunedin offers a high level of safety, with official advisories recommending normal precautions. While the city experiences occasional incidents, such as vehicle crime and group assaults, these are not widespread and do not typically target tourists. Travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly during periods of extreme weather.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Four young people were arrested following a series of unprovoked group assaults in Dunedin.— RNZ
- Aug 2026Dunedin police issued an ice warning due to sleet and snow.— 1News
- May 2026Dunedin Police warned of a surge in vehicle crime.— Mirage News
- Jul 2026The South Island, including Dunedin, experienced heavy rainfall and strong winds, prompting a red warning.— Pacific Media Network
Common scams
- While not specifically reported for Dunedin, be aware of common tourist scams like overcharging for taxis or inflated prices in souvenir shops.
Full briefing
Dunedin offers a very safe environment for travelers, with official advisories from Canada and the UK recommending only normal security precautions. The city's strong governance indicators and low homicide rate contribute to its overall safety profile.
Recent reports indicate a rise in vehicle crime in May 2026, and in August 2026, police arrested four youths following unprovoked group assaults. While these incidents are concerning, they appear to be isolated and do not specifically target tourists. Travelers should remain vigilant, particularly regarding vehicle security and awareness of their surroundings in public spaces.
October in Dunedin can bring challenging weather, with strong winds and wet spells. In August 2026, sleet and snow led to an ice warning from the police. It is advisable to stay informed about weather forecasts and heed any local advisories, especially concerning travel conditions. The city's low rates of robbery and pickpocketing mean that standard travel precautions are generally sufficient for a safe visit.
Was this Dunedin, New Zealand report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Dunedin districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution. See them plotted on the Dunedin safety map.
Central Business District (CBD)cautionGenerally safe, but be aware of petty crime and potential for isolated incidents after dark.
North DunedincautionAreas around the university can be lively, but some parts may experience petty crime and occasional disturbances.
South DunedincautionMixed residential and commercial area; exercise normal precautions, especially after dark.
West DunedinsaferPrimarily residential, generally considered safe.
East Dunedin (Coastal Areas)saferCoastal suburbs are typically safe and popular for recreation.
MosgielsaferA satellite town of Dunedin, generally considered safe with a low crime rate.
07 · After Dark
Is Dunedin safe at night?
Robbery is uncommon, with no specific reports targeting visitors in the dossier.
After dark, be most careful around Central Business District (CBD), North Dunedin, South Dunedin. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Dunedin safety FAQ (2026)
Is Dunedin safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Dunedin is a very safe city for travelers, with low crime rates and strong governance. Dunedin offers a high level of safety, with official advisories recommending normal precautions. While the city experiences occasional incidents, such as vehicle crime and group assaults, these are not widespread and do not typically target tourists. Travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly during periods of extreme weather. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Dunedin safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Dunedin report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Dunedin should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Dunedin (2026)?
- While not specifically reported for Dunedin, be aware of common tourist scams like overcharging for taxis or inflated prices in souvenir shops.
How does Dunedin compare with other places in New Zealand (2026)?
Dunedin ranks #4 of 9 New Zealand destinations we've assessed, scoring 91/100. See the New Zealand safety overview for the full list.
How is this dunedin safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: dunedin.json (CC BY 4.0).