On June 18, 2024, dairy farmer Aaron Kane from Shannon, Manawatū, experienced firsthand the impact of rural crime when thieves stripped copper piping from his milk vat. The disruption to his business and repair costs far outweighed the value of the stolen copper, leaving Aaron with a profound sense of frustration and distrust.
Aaron’s experience isn’t isolated. Rural crime has been rising in New Zealand Aotearoa over the past five years, with nearly two-thirds of FMG’s theft claims coming from rural addresses. Theft claims typically peak around farm change-over period: June to July, and again from December to February.
In partnership with New Zealand Police, we’ve developed guidance to help you prevent rural theft and avoid experiences like Aaron’s. While these tips may seem simple, they are often overlooked and contribute to common claims we see daily.
Here are our top tips to help you reduce rural theft risk:
- Make it hard to get in Secure all entry points with locks. Make a habit of locking up your possessions and removing keys, valuables, and equipment from vehicles when not in use.
- Make it less attractive to take your belongings Engrave or distinctively mark your equipment and tools. Welllit areas, motion sensor lights, alarm systems, and security cameras also act as strong deterrents.
- Report it If you are targeted by thieves, always report it to NZ Police. This helps track patterns and increases the chance of apprehending culprits and may help retrieve your belongings.
- Understand your insurance Stay vigilant about underinsurance. Regularly review your sum insured and policies to ensure they reflect your needs and the true replacement cost of items. Recording serial numbers and photos can also help track lost items and assist your claim.
