Wānaka Central
Safety Score (12-month average)
15
–
Crime rate
135.4 per 1,000
Population 1,440
Total crimes (past 12 months)
195
Trend (last 3 months)
▲ 473.3%
vs previous 3-month period
Regional rank
#7 / 138
Top 5%
Safety Score (NZCHI)
Police data to August 2026Wānaka Central Overview
Most common offence by count was theft (92.3%). Percentages show share of offence counts in the selected time frame.
Crime Summary
The annual total crime rate in Wānaka Central is 135.417 crimes per thousand residents, placing it at rank 7 within Otago Region. The overall crime trend in the area has increased in recent months with criminal activity peaking in Oct 2025, Jul 2026, Aug 2026.
Crime activity peaked in October 2025, July 2026, and August 2026.
Wānaka Central crime statistics: common questions
Is Wānaka Central safe?
Wānaka Central recorded 195 offences in the last 12 months, a rate of 135.4 per 1,000 residents across about 1,440 residents. These are offences recorded by New Zealand Police, which reflect what was reported and recorded rather than all crime that occurred.
What is the crime rate in Wānaka Central?
The crime rate in Wānaka Central is 135.4 offences per 1,000 residents over the last 12 months, from 195 recorded offences across about 1,440 residents. A rate counts offences against a suburb's resident population, so town centres and commercial areas can show high rates because offences there involve people who do not live there.
What is the most common crime in Wānaka Central?
The most common offence category in Wānaka Central is theft, with 180 recorded offences in the last 12 months — about 92% of all offences recorded there. The next most common is assault (9).
Is crime going up or down in Wānaka Central?
Recorded offences in Wānaka Central have risen 473.3% over the most recent three-month period compared with the previous three months. This is a three-month comparison, not a year-on-year one, and short windows move around a lot in small areas.
How does Wānaka Central compare with other suburbs in Otago Region?
Wānaka Central ranks 7 of 138 suburbs in Otago Region by crime rate, where 1 is the highest rate. This is a ranking of recorded crime, not a safety rating, and it compares Wānaka Central only with other suburbs in Otago Region — not with the rest of New Zealand.
Where does the crime data for Wānaka Central come from?
Figures for Wānaka Central, Queenstown-Lakes District come from New Zealand Police recorded victimisation data, published through police.govt.nz, and are grouped to Stats NZ Statistical Area 2 (SA2) boundaries. They count offences recorded by Police, so they reflect reporting and recording practice as well as underlying offending.
Looking for a plain-English safety summary?
👉 See how safe Wānaka Central is on SafeSuburbs.co.nz