Is Christchurch Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region.

It is the third-most populous city in New Zealand’s behind Auckland and Wellington.

The Avon River flows through the center of the city, with an urban park located along its banks.

Christchurch is called the most English city outside England.

A better way to explore the city is to go punting through the city center on the Avon River.

Take a tram, double-decker bus, or a bike to have a trip through the town.

From the Christchurch, Gondola is a great spectacular 360° views of the city, Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps, and the Banks Peninsula.

Warnings & Dangers in Christchurch

OVERALL RISK: LOW

The city is safe enough for travel, common sense should be observed. Avoid suburbs and walks at late night Also, you should be especially careful on the road.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Taxi and public transport are safe, but be cautioned of your pockets in any case in crowded transport.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

The risk of pickpocketing is not high but found in tourist places. Watch your pockets and do not carry valuables with you.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Smog in the winter and earthquakes, from time to time may cause problems here. Check information in proven sources before your visit.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There are practically no cases of armed robberies. But anyway, you should be on the alert, contact the police if an appropriate incident has occurred to you.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

In the recent history of the city, there have been cases of terrorist attacks on religious grounds. You should be especially careful in churches and mosques, stay away from street demonstrations.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Online fraud is sometimes possible, especially on charitable fundraising sites. Also, cyber attacks directed mainly against the inhabitants of the region are not uncommon.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Christchurch is generally a very safe place for female travelers. Just avoid walking alone at night and never hitchhike alone.

So... How Safe Is Christchurch Really?

We can say that Christchurch is quite safe.

The level of crime here is not high, but there are robberies, car thefts, and fraud.

Christchurch isn’t a particularly dangerous city but, as always, it pays to keep your wits about you if you’re walking alone late at night.

Avoid night bars and drunk people.

Alcohol aggression and fights are not rare here.

You also should be aware of the driver’s manner here.

Cars driving on a red light is a common thing in the city, drivers do not turn on turning lights and create problems on the road.

Christchurch is known to rarely have had major criminal incidents.

The police work quite operative and you can always turn to it for help.

However, the risk of crime has risen slightly in recent years, especially for car thefts.

Therefore, if you rent a car for transportation in the city, make sure that you do not leave valuables in it, close it with an alarm system and park at the guarded parking lots.

As for natural and man-made disasters, the city is faced with smog in the winter.

This may be unsafe for people with respiratory deceases.

The region is also prone to earthquakes and from time to time they occur here.

Therefore, you should definitely get acquainted with the situation in the region before your trip.

How Does Christchurch Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

Some countries do need a visa to enter New Zealand. Check your status at www.doyouneedvisa.com. A valid passport is a must.

Currency

The New Zealand dollar is the official currency and legal tender of New Zealand. It is signed: $ and code: NZD, also abbreviated NZ$. In the context of currency trading, it is often informally called the "Kiwi" or "Kiwi dollar".

Weather

The best times to visit Christchurch for ideal weather are December to March. Temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a low chance of precipitation most of the year.

Airports

Christchurch has an International Airport, it's the main airport that serves Christchurch and located 12 km to the northwest of the city center. It is the second busiest airport in New Zealand after Auckland.

Travel Insurance

The travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country. Make sure you got it before starting your journey, the customs officer may ask for it.

Christchurch Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

New Zealand - Safety by City