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- Understanding crime types
- Burglary and home invasion
Overview
Having your home or property burgled can feel unsettling and stressful. This page explains what to do, the support available and what happens next.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call the Police on 111
If you need the Police but can’t speak for fear of harm, you will be asked to press keys for emergency assistance. If hearing or speaking is difficult, you can sign up to 111 TXT
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If you need urgent support services, you can get help now
First make sure you’re safe
- If the burglary is happening now or you need urgent help, call 111 and ask for police.
- If it has already happened and there’s no immediate danger, call 105 or report online.
105 Police Non-Emergency Online Reporting | New Zealand Police
Do not enter your home if you think someone might still be inside.
Reporting to police
If you report a burglary, police will:
- record details of what happened
- give you a case number
- decide what response is needed.
After your report, police may:
- attend the scene and check for signs of entry
- carry out a scene examination (for example, fingerprints or DNA)
- look for evidence such as CCTV or witnesses
- check whether your case may be linked to other burglaries.
In more serious cases, police may assign an officer to keep you updated.
What happens next
If police identify a suspect, they may charge them. The case may then go to court for a judge to decide the outcome.
Cases are given higher priority when:
- the burglary happened in a home
- someone was inside at the time
- there is a risk of repeat offending.
How long this takes can vary. It depends on:
- whether there is good evidence (for example CCTV, fingerprints, or witnesses)
- whether a suspect can be identified
- how complex the case is.
Some cases may be resolved in days or weeks. Others can take months or may not be solved if there’s not enough evidence.
Where to get support
Victim Support – Manaaki Tāngata can help you:
- report the incident
- give a statement to police
- deal with practical steps like insurance.
Read more about home burglary support on the Victim Support website:
You can also find information and support, including tikanga Māori-based approaches: Finding support and resources.
What you can do next
- make a list of stolen or damaged items
- take photos of any damage
- contact your insurance company
- stay in touch with the officer in charge of your case
- let police know if you find new information.
Understanding the terms
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Burglary
Burglary is entering a building, without permission, to commit a crime (usually theft).
It is still burglary even if nothing is taken.
Examples:
- breaking into a house to steal
- entering a closed shop after hours
- going into a garage to take tools.
Houses, flats, garages, sheds, and other enclosed structures are treated as buildings. Entering a yard on its own may be considered trespassing instead, depending on how enclosed it is.
A person can go to jail for up to 10 years if they are convicted of burglary.
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Aggravated burglary
Aggravated burglary is when a person has or uses a weapon.
Examples:
- breaking into a house with a weapon
- entering a shop while carrying a weapon
- using an object as a weapon after entering a building. picking up something and using it as a weapon after breaking into a building.
It is still aggravated burglary even if nothing is taken.
A person can go to jail for up to 14 years for committing aggravated burglary.
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Home invasion
A burglary becomes more serious if it happens in your home, especially if people are there.
Home invasion is not a separate offence. It’s a term used in court when a crime involves entering someone’s home.
Courts may give longer sentences because of the increased risk of harm when someone’s home is involved.