As we transition into June 2025, reports of property crime across New Zealand continue to paint a concerning picture. Each month, Xpanda NZ reviews these incidents for this ‘NZ Property Crime Monthly Update’, and a persistent, alarming pattern emerges: a significant number of properties targeted shared a critical vulnerability – a distinct lack of, or **an inadequate implementation of recommended physical security measures, leaving them exposed to forceful entry or vehicle impact.**
As a leading manufacturer of robust physical security solutions, Xpanda NZ believes in proactive prevention. This monthly ‘Crime Watch’ series aims to shed light on real-world incidents, not to instill fear, but to emphasize the vital role of strategic, layered security in deterring opportunistic criminals and safeguarding your property against evolving tactics.
Where we say ‘Recommended Physical Security’ below, we do not mean that we had recommended something, rather that in retrospect the extra measure may have prevented it.
Recent Incidents Highlight Critical Security Gaps:
The sheer quantity of incidents where basic physical security was missing or insufficient is a stark reminder of the opportunities presented to criminals. Here are several notable cases from May 2025, and some from April showcasing the ongoing trend:
We feature a curated selection of incidents identified through our monitoring, presented without bias to demonstrate recurring patterns in property crime, not as an exhaustive report.
| Source Article | Xpanda Analysis |
|---|---|
|
1. Christchurch food bank raided by thieves By Stuff / Ripu Bhatia | May 25, 2025 ‘Absolutely heartbroken’: Christchurch food bank raided by thieves. Christchurch food bank raided by thieves Details: A Christchurch food bank was tragically raided by thieves, indicating a vulnerable point for a community‐critical service that likely lacked visible physical deterrence. |
Date: May 25, 2025 Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned Recommended Physical Security: Perimeter grilles / window bars. |
|
2. Armed Robbery in Northcote Shops By NZ Herald | May 24, 2025 Armed person; police rush to Northcote shops after Auckland robbery. Armed Robbery in Northcote Shops Details: Police rushed to Northcote shops following an armed robbery. The lack of mentioned physical security suggested premises were unprotected against armed threats. |
Date: May 24, 2025 Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned Recommended Physical Security: Anti Jump, On-premises Service window |
|
3. Armed Robbery at Manukau Electronics Store By NZ Herald | May 17, 2025 Armed robbers hit Manukau electronics store; workers fight back. Armed Robbery at Manukau Electronics Store Details: An armed robbery occurred at an electronics store in Manukau. The absence of mentioned security measures indicated an easier point of access and confrontation for the armed offenders. |
Date: May 17, 2025 Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned Recommended Physical Security: Anti-Jump may have helped with a safe-haven. |
|
4. Drunk Driver Crashes into Building in Nelson By NZ Herald | May 15, 2025 Car ploughs at high speed through Nelson alarms, security systems building. Drunk Driver Crashes into Building in Nelson Details: A car ploughed at high speed through a building in Nelson, bypassing alarms and security systems, underlining the necessity for physical anti-ram barriers. |
Date: May 15, 2025 Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned Recommended Physical Security: Bollards or Ram-raid Beams, Expanding Grilles |
|
5. Ram raid extensively damages Temuka service station By NZ Herald / Ben Tomsett | May 15, 2025 Ram-raid extensively damages Temuka service station; police hunting for pair. Ram raid extensively damages Temuka service station Details: A service station in Temuka suffered extensive damage from a ram-raid. Police are hunting for the pair involved. The incident highlights the critical need for bollards and expanding grilles to protect against vehicle impact and forced entry, measures which were absent or insufficient. |
Date: May 15, 2025 Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned Recommended Physical Security: Bollards, Expanding Grilles |
|
6. Aggravated Robbery in Marton By Whanganui Chronicle / NZ Herald | May 10, 2025 Police appeal for information after aggravated robbery in Marton. Details: Police appealed for information following an aggravated robbery in Marton, suggesting the premises lacked visible deterrents. |
Date: May 10, 2025 Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned Recommended Physical Security: Anti-Jump |
|
7. Invercargill store worker injured in overnight crime spree RNZ | May 5, 2025 Overnight burglary leads to cash theft, urging residents to review security. Overnight burglary leads to cash theft, urging residents to review security. Details: Cash was stolen in an overnight break-in in Invercargill, implying easy entry and successful theft without facing physical deterrents. |
Date: May 5, 2025 Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned Recommended Physical Security: Anti Jump |
|
8. Car vs. Supermarket Accident in Ashburton By NZ Herald | May 1, 2025 Ashburton supermarket crash footage shows the moment car ploughs into store. Car vs. Supermarket Accident in Ashburton Details: Footage showed a car ploughing into an Ashburton supermarket. This incident highlights the extreme vulnerability of premises without physical barriers to protect against vehicle impact. |
Date: May 1, 2025 Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned Recommended Physical Security: Bollards & Ram-raid Beams |
|
9. Ram-Raid at Metromart in Christchurch By NZ Herald | May 2025 Christchurch local captures moment masked figures ram-raid Metromart. Ram-Raid at Metromart in Christchurch Details: Masked figures ram-raided a Metromart in Christchurch, highlighting the need for robust physical barriers to prevent vehicle attacks and subsequent entry. |
Date: May 2025 Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned Recommended Physical Security: Bollards, Expanding Grilles |
|
10. Machete-Wielding Robbery in Lower Hutt By NZ Herald | April 26, 2025 Machete-wielding man robbing Lower Hutt dairy caught on camera. Machete-Wielding Robbery in Lower Hutt Details: A machete-wielding man robbed a dairy in Lower Hutt, caught on camera. The incident underscores the vulnerability of premises without physical deterrents. |
Date: April 26, 2025 Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned Recommended Physical Security: Anti Jump |
|
11. Aggravated Robbery at Auckland Dairy By RNZ | April 6, 2025 Teens arrested after robbing Auckland dairy and assaulting worker. Aggravated Robbery at Auckland Dairy Details: A dairy in Ōtara was the scene of an aggravated robbery where a worker was assaulted, facilitating direct access for the offenders. |
Date: April 6, 2025 Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned Recommended Physical Security: Anti-Jump |
|
12. Perfume Theft in Napier Stores By Hawke’s Bay Today / NZ Herald | April 5, 2025 Thieves caught on camera targeting high-value perfume, highlighting need for better store security. Perfume Theft in Napier Stores Details: Thieves targeting two Napier stores for perfume were caught on CCTV and phone cameras. The absence of physical security measures allowed the theft to occur in the first place. |
Date: April 5, 2025 Security Measures Mentioned: None mentioned Recommended Physical Security: Steel mesh, Extra Locks, or Expanding Grille |
|
13. Dairy Robbery in Rotorua By Rotorua Daily Post / NZ Herald | Not specified Dairy robbery caught on CCTV highlights need for enhanced security. Details: A dairy robbery in Rotorua was caught on CCTV footage. While CCTV is crucial for identification, the presence of robbers indicates the lack of physical security measures like trellis doors or anti-jump screens that could have physically deterred or separated the offenders from staff and merchandise. |
Date: Not specified Security Measures Mentioned: CCTV footage Recommended Physical Security: Trellis Doors, Anti-Jump Screens |
The Unmistakable Pattern: Why Incomplete or Absent Security Invites Crime
These incidents from April and May, much like patterns we’ve consistently observed, powerfully demonstrate the undeniable impact of security vulnerabilities. Whether it’s a complete absence of deterrents (like the ram-raid targets with no bollards) or an easily bypassed single layer (like the food bank with no mention of security, or the dairy relying only on CCTV), the message to criminals becomes clear: ‘opportunity awaits.’
Criminals are constantly evolving their methods, from opportunistic smash-and-grabs to more brazen ram-raids and armed robberies. They inherently seek the path of least resistance. Properties that lack visible, robust physical security – or rely solely on a single, easily defeated measure – signal an easy target. This increases their chances of success and reduces their risk of detection.
While no single security measure is a foolproof shield against every determined criminal, Xpanda NZ knows that the vast majority of property crimes are opportunistic. Strong physical barriers are the first and most critical line of defence, designed to:
- Deter: Make your property look too difficult or risky to be worth the effort.
- Delay: Buy crucial time if an attack is attempted, allowing alarms to function, neighbours to notice, and emergency services to respond.
Fortify Your Property with Xpanda NZ: The Layered Security Advantage
The consistent nature of these security gaps, evident month after month, reinforces the urgency for property owners to assess their vulnerabilities. True security isn’t just one product; it’s a layered strategy where multiple physical and electronic measures work in harmony to create a formidable deterrent.
Xpanda NZ provides the foundational strength for a truly layered defense. Our New Zealand-made security solutions are engineered to be that critical physical barrier:
- Retractable Security Grilles: A powerful visual and physical deterrent for windows and doors, designed to withstand forced entry and offer robust protection.
- Security Doors and Barriers: Built to reinforce entry points against determined attacks, complementing existing locks and alarms.
- Bollards and Ram beams: meaning any criminal must resort to much less powerful methods than a vehicle.
Don’t let your property become the next opportunity for criminals. By integrating Xpanda NZ’s high-quality physical security into your overall strategy, you’re not just installing a product – you’re investing in peace of mind, actively deterring crime, and fortifying your valuable assets.
Take the proactive step today. Call us to explore our comprehensive range of solutions or contact us for a free, no-obligation security assessment tailored for your New Zealand home or business. Let us help you build a stronger, more secure future.
Footnote: There is absolutely no implied blame here, only learnings. Only the thugs involved are ever responsible for the crime – but we do want to open eyes on how sometimes simple measures can relieve heartache.