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 Wellington safe? 🇳🇿
New Zealand · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Wellington scores 93/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Wellington 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
Wellington 🇳🇿
New Zealand · Assessed 13 October 2026
93
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime88/100GoodHomicide 1.5 / 100k
Sentiment90/100GoodGenerally Positive
Advisories100Good
Stability89Good
Health84Good
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
85 / 100 (Generally Positive)
85
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
382k residents
78
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
LowWellington has a low risk of mugging or armed robbery for visitors.
Pickpocketing
LowPickpocketing is uncommon but can occur in very crowded areas; vigilance is advised.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Generally Positive
90/100
Reported feel85Generally Positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk96Low risk
Travel advisories from Canada and the UK indicate a low risk, recommending normal security precautions, suggesting a generally safe environment for visitors.
Yes. Wellington is a very safe city for travelers, with low crime rates and strong governance.
Wellington boasts exceptionally low crime rates, particularly for violent offenses, and benefits from robust rule of law and effective governance. Travelers should exercise normal precautions, similar to other developed Western cities.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026An arrest was made following an attempt to steal railway copper, which disrupted train services.— RNZ
- Oct 2026A large pool of human blood found in a Wellington tunnel was determined not to be suspicious.— 1News
- Oct 2026Police were puzzled by a grisly discovery in a Wellington pedestrian tunnel.— NZ Herald
- Oct 2026Thousands protested in New Zealand on the third anniversary of the Gaza genocide.— World Socialist Web Site
Common scams
- While not widely reported, be aware of potential opportunistic petty theft in crowded tourist areas.
Full briefing
Wellington offers a very safe environment for travelers, underscored by its low crime statistics and strong governance indicators. Official advisories from Canada and the UK recommend exercising normal security precautions, reflecting the city's overall safety profile.
While petty theft is uncommon, vigilance is advised in busy tourist spots. Recent reports mention disruptions to train travel due to copper theft and unusual discoveries in public spaces, though these do not indicate a widespread threat to visitors. The city's robust legal framework and effective institutions contribute to a secure atmosphere.
Travelers should be aware of potential weather hazards, particularly strong winds and rain during autumn and winter months, as noted by local weather updates. Road safety is also a consideration, with traffic accident rates being a moderate concern. Standard precautions regarding personal belongings and situational awareness will ensure a smooth and safe visit to Wellington.
Was this Wellington, New Zealand report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Wellington districts for visitors: 6 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Wellington safety map.
NewtowncautionDiverse area with a lively atmosphere; exercise normal precautions, especially after dark.
PoriruacautionA separate city north of Wellington, exercise normal precautions, particularly in certain areas after dark.
CBD (Central Business District)saferGenerally safe with good public transport and high visitor traffic.
Te ArosaferVibrant area with many restaurants and bars, generally safe but can be busy at night.
ThorndonsaferResidential and government district, very safe and quiet.
Mount VictoriasaferResidential area with parks, safe for visitors.
MiramarsaferSuburban area, generally safe with residential and some commercial zones.
JohnsonvillesaferSuburban center, safe for visitors.
07 · After Dark
Is Wellington safe at night?
Wellington has a low risk of mugging or armed robbery for visitors.
After dark, be most careful around Newtown, Porirua. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Wellington safety FAQ (2026)
Is Wellington safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Wellington is a very safe city for travelers, with low crime rates and strong governance. Wellington boasts exceptionally low crime rates, particularly for violent offenses, and benefits from robust rule of law and effective governance. Travelers should exercise normal precautions, similar to other developed Western cities. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Wellington safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Wellington 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 Wellington should tourists avoid?
Certain parts of Porirua after dark may require extra vigilance.. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Wellington (2026)?
- While not widely reported, be aware of potential opportunistic petty theft in crowded tourist areas.
How does Wellington compare with other places in New Zealand (2026)?
Wellington ranks #1 of 9 New Zealand destinations we've assessed, scoring 93/100. See the New Zealand safety overview for the full list.
How is this wellington safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 11+ 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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