Welcome to our latest NZ Property Crime Monthly Update, where we track and analyse NZ crime trends. Each month we compile verified reports of burglaries, ram-raids, aggravated robberies and related incidents across the country to provide a clear picture of how property crime is evolving.
Compared with August, September was worse. This update covers 18 reported property crime incidents, up sharply from just 5 the previous month — and while comprehensive, it is not exhaustive of all cases nationwide. Ram raids continued to damage small retailers, but the most worrying change was the rise in violent robberies and reckless property damage, and even lighting fires. Several incidents involved knives or weapons, showing that criminals are becoming bolder and more dangerous, putting both staff and communities at greater risk.
This NZ Property Crime Monthly Update is not just a record of headlines — it’s designed to help businesses understand what kinds of attacks are happening right now. By seeing the patterns, you can take steps to reduce your risk. Many of the cases highlight the absence of deterrents like expanding grilles, anti-jump screens, or security bollards, which could have reduced the scale of damage or even prevented entry altogether.
At Xpanda NZ, we continue to highlight these issues through our Crime Watch series. Our goal is to provide more than news — we share insights into how physical security can be applied in practical, cost-effective ways. Every burglary, robbery or ram-raid in these reports is another reminder of the importance of investing in security that protects both people and property.
(Note: “Recommended Physical Security” refers to measures that, in retrospect, could have reduced or prevented the impact of the incident. These are not prior Xpanda NZ recommendations.)
Case Studies of NZ Property Crime in September 2025
Date: Tue 30 Sep 2025
Location: Ōrewa, Auckland
Crime Category: Ram-Raid, Burglary, Arson
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: To be assessed
2. Police hunt knife-wielding man fleeing Hamilton robberies on e-scooter
By 1 News | Sept 24, 2025
Date: Sept 24, 2025
Location: Dinsdale, Hamilton
Crime Category: Aggravated Robbery
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: To be assessed
Date: Tue 23 Sep 2025
Location: Glen Eden, Auckland
Crime Category: Attempted Aggravated Robbery
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: To be assessed
4. Cheesecake Shop thief takes two cakes, comes back for seconds
By 1 News | Sept 23, 2025
Date: Sept 23, 2025
Location: Papatoetoe, Auckland
Crime Category: Burglary
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: Expanding Grilles
Date: Sept 18 2025
Location: Kaiwaka, Northland
Crime Category: Assault with a Weapon / Wilful Damage
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: Anti-Jump
Date: Sept 17 2025
Location: Porirua
Crime Category: Ram Raid
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: Bollards / Expanding Grilles
Date: Sept 9 2025
Location: Botany Downs, Auckland
Crime Category: Daylight Robbery
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: To be assessed
Date: Sept 9 2025
Location: Botany Downs, Auckland
Crime Category: Robbery
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: To be assessed
Date: Sept 7, 2025
Location: Hamilton
Crime Category: Armed Robbery
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: To be assessed
Police in Christchurch are investigating two aggravated robberies happening on the same day. The first occurred at a premises on McGregors Road around 11:40 am, when three people entered with hammers and fled before police arrived. Shortly afterward, there was another aggravated robbery at a commercial site on Stanmore Road. Police are investigating whether the two are linked.
https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360816710/investigation-continues-double-robbery-suspects
Date: Sept 6 2025
Location: Bromley, Christchurch
Crime Category: Armed Robbery
Security Measures Mentioned: Anti-Jump cage / none
Recommended Physical Security: Anti-Jump screen in second store
11. Napier ram raid: Two youths arrested, police seek two more
By Hawkes Bay Today | Sept 6 2025
Date: Sept 6 2025
Location: Napier
Crime Category: Ram Raid
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: To be assessed
Date: Sept 4 2025
Location: Titahi Bay
Crime Category: Burglary
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: To be assessed
Date: Sept 1 2025
Location: Hamilton
Crime Category: Burglary
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: To be assessed
14. ‘Brazen’ Palate robber later threw glass at police handler and dog
By Waikato Times | Aug 28 2025
Date: Aug 28 2025
Location: Hamilton
Crime Category: Daylight Robbery
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: To be assessed
Date: Aug 30 2025
Location: Lower Hutt
Crime Category: Assault
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: To be assessed
A dairy in Auckland was attacked twice in one day by the same man. In the first incident, he smashed product displays and equipment before being arrested. Hours later, he returned and was arrested again.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/09/06/auckland-dairy-targeted-twice-in-one-day-by-same-man/
Date: Late Aug 2025
Location: Auckland City
Crime Category: Wilful Damage / Repeat Burglary
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: Anti-Jump screen
Date: Ongoing
Location: Nationwide
Crime Category: Severe Shoplifting
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: To be assessed
Date: Apr–Sept 2025
Location: Auckland Area
Crime Category: Burglary
Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned
Recommended Physical Security: To be assessed
Conclusion: September’s Crime Patterns
Our NZ Property Crime Monthly Update for September 2025 shows an escalation compared with August. Ram raids remain destructive, but violent robberies and reckless damage are becoming more common. For businesses, this is a warning that basic locks and cameras are no longer enough. Stronger defences — from expanding grilles to bollards and anti-jump screens — are increasingly essential to deter offenders and protect both people and property.
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