A safer community helps protect everyone who lives in it.
Get to know your neighbours
- Say hi and introduce yourselves. Keep up a friendly relationship.
- Offer to help out when they’re away; bringing in mail, mowing their lawn, or parking in their driveway. Then they’re more likely to do this for you when you’re away. A house that looks “lived in” is less likely to get burgled.
- Offer to help when they need it. Working together makes for a stronger community.
- If you’re concerned about the welfare of a neighbour, don’t hesitate to let police know. Call them on 105, or in an emergency 111.
Consider getting involved in community protection groups in your own area
Neighbourhood Support
Neighbourhood Support works with police to bring neighbourhoods together to create safe, resilient, and connected communities. To learn more about starting or joining a local Neighbourhood Support group, visit or call 0800 4 NEIGHBOURS or visit here.
Māori Wardens
Throughout Aotearoa there are currently around 1000 wardens working in their communities. Māori Wardens are volunteers who have a lot of knowledge of, and close connection to, their local communities. They provide support, security, traffic, and crowd control, and first aid, under the Māori Community Development Act 1962. They play a key role in supporting the safety of Māori communities. To learn more, visit here.
Community Patrol New Zealand - CPNZ
CPNZ helps to build safer communities in partnership with New Zealand Police and other local organisations. Their National Office supports over 5,000 volunteers in over 170 Community Patrols throughout New Zealand. They work to prevent crime and reduce harm through the active presence of trained patrollers in local communities. To learn more visit here.
Linking up with Iwi, Ethnic and Pacific Liaison Officers
Police has specialist liaison officers working in communities around the country. They are happy to listen to any concerns and work with you to improve safety in your communities. To find your Ethnic or Pacific Liaison Officer: