Is Kaikoura safe? New Zealand travel risk
Is Kaikoura safe right now? Checked 16 October 2026
Kaikoura scores 24/100 on our travel risk index (Low). The US State Department rates New Zealand Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions, updated 29 Apr 2026); the UK has no advice against travel; Canada says: exercise normal security precautions. No GDACS or USGS hazard events within 100 km in the last 14 days. No change in government advice in the last 7 days.
Kaikoura scores 24/100 (Low). The score combines security, crime and scams, health and medical access, natural hazards and current alerts measured for this location and New Zealand (how it is calculated). The sections below are specific to Kaikoura: nearest emergency and transport facilities.
Driven by: health and medical access (46/100) and security (17/100).
A score of 24 is higher than the scores of 12% of the 241 countries we cover.
Consult the New Zealand travel risk page for nationwide security advisories, entry protocols, and consular warnings.
Local Geographic Profile
Situated in Canterbury at 42.4000° S, 173.6814° E (elevation 38 m), Kaikoura lies 153.3 km NE of Wellington. Time zone: Pacific/Auckland.
Canterbury
42.4000° S, 173.6814° E
38 m
Pacific/Auckland
2,210
Emergency & Transport Infrastructure
Surrounding Localities in New Zealand
Natural Hazard Calendar & History
No GDACS or USGS events recorded within 100 km in the past five years.
For consular advice on women's safety, LGBT+ travel, and local laws, see the New Zealand travel advice & laws.
Check the official entry requirements for your nationality before you travel. See the New Zealand entry requirements.
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