Where Did We Get New Zealand Theft Data From?
The 2025 figures come from New Zealand Police vehicle theft data published by MoneyHub. They cover cars stolen across the country between June and December 2025.
We used those figures to rank the ten police districts with the highest number of stolen vehicles during the reporting period.
Car Theft Across New Zealand
Counties Manukau recorded the highest total, with 703 cars stolen between June and December 2025. Canterbury followed with 601, while Waitematā ranked third with 504.
The list includes New Zealand’s largest cities, fast-growing coastal areas and regional districts across both islands.
1. Counties/Manukau: 703 cars stolen
Counties Manukau had more stolen cars than any other police district during the reporting period.
The district covers a large part of South Auckland, including busy residential suburbs, shopping centres and major roads. With so many vehicles moving through the area each day, cars are regularly left outside homes, workplaces and public spaces for long periods.
2. Canterbury: 601 cars stolen
Canterbury recorded 601 vehicle thefts.
Christchurch accounts for much of the district’s population and traffic, but Canterbury also extends into surrounding towns and communities. The mix of suburban streets, business areas and public parking keeps large numbers of cars spread across the region.
3. Waitematā: 504 cars stolen
Waitematā followed with 504 stolen vehicles.
The district stretches across Auckland’s north and west, taking in established suburbs as well as rapidly developing areas. Shopping precincts, transport hubs and expanding residential neighbourhoods bring a steady flow of vehicles into the region throughout the week.
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4. Bay of Plenty: 415 cars stolen
The Bay of Plenty recorded 415 thefts during the seven-month period.
Tauranga is the region’s largest centre, supported by a number of smaller coastal towns and growing communities. Population growth has brought more housing, traffic and parked cars into areas that were once much quieter.
5. Auckland City: 395 cars stolen
Auckland City had 395 vehicles stolen.
As the country’s largest urban centre, it has dense apartment areas, busy commercial streets and public car parks that remain active well into the evening. Cars are often left near offices, shops, restaurants and entertainment precincts while their owners are elsewhere.
6. Wellington: 341 cars stolen
Wellington recorded 341 thefts.
The capital combines residential suburbs with government offices, businesses, universities and a compact city centre. Limited off-street parking in some areas means many vehicles are left on local streets or in public parking buildings during the day.
7. Northland: 286 cars stolen
Northland had 286 stolen vehicles between June and December.
Whangārei is the district’s main urban centre, while smaller towns and communities are spread across a wide area. Cars are essential for everyday travel, particularly where public transport options are limited.
8. Central: 272 cars stolen
The Central district recorded 272 thefts.
It covers a large part of the middle North Island, including regional towns separated by considerable distances. Many people depend on their vehicles for work, shopping and travel between communities, which can make a theft especially disruptive.
9. Eastern: 192 cars stolen
Eastern had 192 vehicles stolen during the reporting period.
The district includes Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, where regional cities sit alongside smaller towns and rural communities. Cars are regularly left near homes, local businesses, shopping areas and town centres throughout the day.
10. Southern: 95 cars stolen
Southern rounded out the top ten with 95 stolen vehicles.
The district covers Dunedin, Invercargill and nearby communities across the lower South Island. Its total was well below the other districts on the list, although car theft still affected owners across both urban and regional areas.
Conclusion
The figures show that vehicle theft is not confined to Auckland or other large cities. Cars were also stolen from coastal communities, regional centres and smaller towns across New Zealand.
A GPS tracker cannot prevent someone from taking a vehicle, but it can show where the car has gone. That location information can be shared with police and may improve the chances of recovering it.
In 2025 alone, 3,804 vehicles were stolen across these 10 regions in New Zealand. Most were never recovered because there was no tracker on board. Solid GPS gives you live 4G tracking, instant theft alerts, and a one-tap police share link. 12-month battery. No wiring. 31-day free trial. Free shipping to New Zealand
