Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland is a safe and peaceful place to live and visit. We take a proactive approach to community safety issues so that shared public places can be accessed and enjoyed by all. This information will help you to feel and keep safe.
Anti-social behaviours are actions that threaten, intimidate or lack consideration for the safety and wellbeing of others.
The Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw 2013 ensures everyone is able to enjoy our public spaces without experiencing these behaviours.
If you see anti-social behaviour, report it to us by phoning 09 301 0101. We will ask you for the time, date and location, as well as the kind of behaviour involved.
The information you provide will help to inform a response.
We investigate bylaw breaches that we see and that are reported to us.
We respond in a number of ways, including:
A trespass notice tells someone they cannot enter a store or property. These are issued, verbally or in writing, when someone is being a nuisance.
If the person who has been trespassed returns to the store or property, they are breaking the law and the police can be called.
The Citizens Advice Bureau has more information about issuing a trespass notice and has templates for written notices that you can print.
If somebody harasses you in public on at least two separate occasions (within a 12-month period) you can apply for a restraining order.
These behaviours might include:
If you do not know the name or address of the person harassing you, you can make a complaint to the police with any information you have that could help them find and identify the harasser.
If the police identify the harasser, they can provide you with their name and address. You need these details to apply to the District Court for a restraining order.
The Community Law website provides free legal help and has more information about protecting yourself from harassment.
If you need emergency housing, phone Work and Income on 0800 559 009.
You should report tents, structures or materials that deliberately block or cause inconvenience in public places to Auckland Council on 09 301 0101.
If you have welfare concerns about a person who is homeless or sleeping rough in your neighbourhood, the outreach agencies listed here can offer help. They send trained staff into the community to meet with people and talk to them about their needs. This is not an emergency response service.
If you have immediate concerns for a person's welfare or safety, contact New Zealand Police on 111 or 105 for a non-emergency. You can also report a non-emergency online.
Contact the following organisations for outreach and social services in your area. Provide as much detailed information as possible, such as, the exact location in a park or a vehicle make/model and registration.
Visit Advise us of someone sleeping rough on the Auckland City Mission website if you are worried about someone sleeping rough.
Visit Homeground on the Auckland City Mission website to find out more about the services they provide.
Email: outreach@lifewise.org.nz
Visit the Lifewise website.
Email: john.maeva@salvationarmy.org.nz
7-9 View Road, Henderson
Phone: 09 837 4471
Email: outreach@visionwest.org.nz
97 Glendale Road, Glen Eden
Phone: 09 818 0700
Visit the Visionwest website.
Link People
Email: aucklandoutreach@linkpeople.co.nz
Harakeke House, 15 Ronwood Avenue, Manukau
Phone: 0800 932 432
Visit the LinkPeople website.
Email: outreachreferrals@kahuitukaha.co.nz
Phone: 09 531 4040
Visit the Kāhui Tū Kaha website.
Auckland Council can also send the referral to an outreach provider on your behalf. Email homelessness@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz with the details.
Read more about Auckland Council’s commitment to reducing homelessness.
Alcohol is banned in some public places in Auckland, like parks and streets. This aims to reduce crime and disorderly behaviour.
During the hours of a ban, you cannot drink, possess or bring alcohol into those public places. These rules also apply if you are in a vehicle.
Some bans are in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Other bans are in place only at night or during daylight savings.
Check if alcohol is banned in your area.
The police enforce alcohol bans to help make our communities and public places safer. Police officers have the authority to remove alcohol, issue a fine, or arrest any person who refuses to comply with the Alcohol Control Bylaw.
Illegal drugs, especially methamphetamine (also known as 'P'), cause wide-ranging harm to the user, their whānau, friends and the wider community.
If you see someone using drugs and they look like they may be at risk of harming themselves or others, phone the police on 111.
If you see someone you suspect is selling drugs, contact the police on 105 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers by phoning 0800 555 111.
Needle exchanges provide access to sterile needles and safe disposal of used ones.
10 East Street, Newton
Phone: 09 356 7373
605D Great South Road, Manukau
Phone: 09 263 0344
Unit 3/2 Canada St, Newton
Phone: 09 366 6106
Level 2, 296A Dominion Road, Mt Eden
Phone: 09 630 0388
If you are concerned about alcohol and drug use in your community, visit these sites for advice and information about available services:
Noise is excessive when it interferes with your peace, comfort or convenience. The level of noise that is acceptable can depend on factors such as the location of your neighbours, the time of day and the type of noise.
We have the power to control many instances of unreasonable and excessive noise. All Noise Control Officers are trained and warranted under the Resource Management Act 1991.
To make a complaint phone 09 301 0101.
Learn more about noise issues.
Amplified equipment for public speaking or street preaching may be considered excessive noise in certain areas.
Find out how to apply for a street performance and busking licence.
Sirens are fitted to privately-owned vehicles with the intention of playing music/sounds at high volume. If a vehicle causing excessive noise is caught in the act, police can issue the driver a ticket.
If a vehicle is making excessive noise while:
You can Report a problem if you see damage or maintenance problems in parks, community facilities, beaches, maunga or public spaces.
If you notice illegal dumping, phone 0800 NO DUMP (0800 66 3867) at any time.
We remove graffiti from many places that are viewed by the public.
If the graffiti vandalism is offensive (for example, a racist term, foul or obscene language or offensive symbols) it will be removed within two hours. Other graffiti vandalism will be removed within 24 hours.
Phone 09 301 0101 or you can Report graffiti vandalism online.
Auckland Transport is responsible for issues on roads, footpaths and fixing street lights.
Phone 09 355 3553 or report a problem online.
Waka Kotahi NZTA is responsible for motorways and adjoining areas.
Report issues impacting our state highways at any time on 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).
If you see anti-social behaviour on a bus, train, or ferry, or while waiting at a stop or station, you can report it. This includes fare evasion or if you see someone tagging (graffiti vandalism).
Report it by:
Auckland Transport can deploy transport officers or other suitable staff to investigate if required.
It is important to be aware of your surroundings. Staying alert can help reduce the risk of accidents or getting into situations where you may feel unsafe. Limit your phone use so that you are not distracted. This will help you to see and hear what is going on around you.
When walking alone at night:
If a driver stops and asks you for directions:
How to keep safe in your car:
Learn about keeping yourself safe in the community.
Community Patrols of New Zealand is a volunteer-based organisation that works with the police to create a safer and more caring community. There are over 30 groups operating around Waitematā, Auckland City, and Counties Manukau districts.
Neighbourhood Support is a nationwide community-led movement. They aim to create safe, resilient and connected communities.
Māori Wardens improve the wellbeing of whānau and our communities in Tāmaki Makaurau. They work with police to prevent crime and increase a sense of peace.
There are 50 local town centre business associations in Auckland. In total, they represent over 25,000 businesses.
Many have community safety initiatives and crime prevention strategies to benefit the local communities. For more information, contact your local BID.
It is important to report all crimes to the police as it helps them allocate patrols and tells them what they should be looking out for.
Trends are found in the information that is collected. This is made available on the police website through monthly reports which show:
If you are concerned about crime in your area, you can view the reports online.
Young people face many challenges. Having open and honest conversations is a great way to ensure their safety and improve wellbeing.
A number of organisations work with our young people, their families and whānau.
We host CAYAD which is funded by the Ministry of Health to reduce the harm rangatahi experience from alcohol and other drugs.
CAYAD works with a range of organisations in our community, such as schools, religious organisations and youth services.
If you are starting university or regularly visiting the central city, you might experience new safety challenges.
Auckland Unlimited has helpful videos and information covering a range of issues affecting students and young people. These include safety in the city, sexual harassment, theft, fraud, employer/employee rights and mental health.
CPTED is an internationally recognised tool that makes communities safer through neighbourhood planning, development and maintenance. It helps to deter criminal activity, reduces the fear of crime, and increases the perception of safety.
The four principles of CPTED are:
Learn more about how design features can make our community safer.
Many organisations and businesses have closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
We have cameras in our facilities to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and to promote community safety.
Auckland Transport operates thousands of cameras across the region to manage the road and public transport network.
Privacy laws ensure that no attempt is made to identify individuals from CCTV footage except when a reported or suspected incident requires investigation.
If you require CCTV footage because of an incident or alleged crime, contact your local police who can request the footage. It is important to note that CCTV footage may only be stored for a limited time so a request should be made as soon as possible.
Although CCTV can help police solve crime, there is no substitute for taking precautions against crime happening in the first place.
You can download the police guide to crime prevention booklet, Be Safe, Feel Safe, in a range of different languages.
Most people are connected to mental health services through a doctor. Talk to a doctor if you or someone you know is worried about mental health. They will be able to make a referral to a community mental health service.
Phone your nearest hospital, or your district health board’s psychiatric emergency service or mental health crisis assessment team:
If you are calling to help somebody else, stay with them until support arrives.
Healthpoint provides up-to-date information about healthcare providers, referral expectations, services offered and common treatments.
Look for providers in your area that can help you.
Fireworks are fun, but they can also be dangerous.
Ditch your old devices the right way this International E-Waste Day.
Communities on the North Shore will be seeing more events and resources to stay connected, safe and resilient thanks to a $10,000 allocation from Devonport-Takapuna Local Board to North Shore Neighbourhood Support.
Two new compliance wardens are adding an extra level of safety and compliance in Kaipātiki thanks to a pilot programme funded by the local board.
Two council compliance wardens have been assigned specifically to the Ōrākei Local Board area thanks to its funding.
New pilot initiative to keep rangatahi safe on nights out in Auckland's city centre from 18 July.
Safety is one of Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board’s top priorities, with a focus on building strong, connected communities where people look out for one another.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has eased the restrictions on outdoor fires in Auckland City, Waitematā and Counties Manukau from 8am on Monday 7 April, until further notice.
Students travelling to school in Flat Bush and Howick will now have safer journey options thanks to the completion of two road safety projects funded by Howick Local Board.
