Embargo: Wednesday 30 November, 2016
‘Tis the Season for Package Thefts And Break-Ins in New
Zealand
With Christmas fast approaching, Ring , the leader in outdoor home security, today released findings that indicate many
New Zealanders are at risk for package thefts and break-ins these holidays, with people having gifts delivered to their
home and not having enough home security to protect their precious possessions.
According to the recent survey of 500 New Zealanders [Survey run online within New Zealand by PureProfile on behalf of
Ring from November 17-23, 2016 among a nationally representative sample of 500 adults aged 18 and older], 72 per cent
intend to buy one or more Christmas presents online that will to be delivered to their home, and 76 per cent are willing
to let their mailman leave packages at their door if they are not home, giving package thieves easy access to steal
them. Gen Z (18-24) are the most at risk of falling victim to package theft with over 84 per cent planning for an online
purchased present to be delivered to their home, followed by Gen Y (25-34 83%) and Gen X (35-44 73%).
The survey also found that with the increase of online shoppers, package thefts are on the rise. Close to one in four
(27%) New Zealanders have had a package stolen from their home within the past 5 years. This has steadily increased with
9 per cent of Kiwis reporting a stolen package in the past five years and 11 per cent reporting a stolen package in the
past year. The South Island (77%) had more stolen packages that the North Island (72%), with Canterbury (77%) leading
Wellington (76%) and Auckland (70%) in package theft in the larger regions.
With Package Protection Day on Wednesday, 30 November, Jamie Siminoff , Chief Inventor and Founder of Ring, is
encouraging homeowners to stay alert: “With online Christmas shopping b ecoming the no rm for many New Zealanders, it is important that they start taking more
precautions to protect their packages from lurking Grinches. Following Cyber Monday, which is the unofficial start of
shopping period before Christmas, homeowners should look at the security measures they have to protect their homes
against package thefts and even break-ins, which also rise when families go away for the holidays.”
Around two out of five (41%) of New Zealanders fear that their house could be broken into over the Christmas/New Year
holidays as they don’t have enough security measures. Men, as the traditional protectors of the home, are slightly more
fearful about break-ins (51%) than women (49%). Likely contributing to this fear, an astounding 21 per cent of New
Zealanders don’t have any security measures in place around their home. The South Island (24%) has the highest number of
residents without home security, followed by the North Island (20%). For those who do, the survey revealed that security
measures were limited to sensor lights (49%), security alarms (39%), a guard dog (25%), surveillance cameras (12%) and a
Ring Video Doorbell (5%).
Mr Siminoff added: “Some simple tips to protect your packages and home from break-ins these holidays include: organise for your packages to
be delivered to your work; get a sign for your home that says it is protected by security cameras to deter lurkers; tell
your neighbours about any suspicious activity that you have seen around your home so you can all keep a watch out; and
invest in a home security camera like the Ring Video Doorbell, which has a HD camera, motion detection, two-way audio
system and night vision so you can capture and warn off any thieves.”
For more information on how you can protect your packages, visit