While 111 is still the emergency number for Police, Fire and Ambulance, the NZ Police have introduced an easy to remember non-emergency number: 105
Sometimes you need to call the police to report a crime, but it’s not a ‘sirens-blaring, lights-flashing’ emergency. To help ensure that 111 is kept clear for emergencies, you can now contact New Zealand Police for non-emergencies by calling ‘105’ – it’s a free call.
No longer will you have to hunt around for your local police station contact number. Just remember 105. There’s even a catchy song to help you remember.
What things can I use the 105 number for?
You can use 105 to report things that have already happened that do not require immediate Police assistance, ie
- Your personal property has been stolen or lost (eg handbag, wallet, phone, bike)
- Your car has been stolen or broken into
- Someone has graffitied your property
- You suspect that someone is trying to scam you (or someone you know)
- You suspect illegal activities like drug dealing
- If you want to add information to your existing Police report
You can also go online to 105.police.govt.nz to report a theft in a public place or from a car, intentional property damage, shoplifting, and lost property. You can also use this link to get an update on an existing report.
For more information, please go to refer to the 105 FAQs.
Always call 111 if:
- There is a fire
- You or someone else is seriously hurt or ill and needs an ambulance
- Someone is breaking into your house or you suspect that they are still in your house
- A car accident results in people being hurt, or the accident causes an obstruction
- Someone has been assaulted and the offender is still there
- You are afraid for your safety or for those around you
- You need an emergency Police response
Call *555 (mobile phone only)
- For urgent but not life-threatening traffic matters that don’t need an emergency Police response
- Continuous poor driving
- Traffic congestion, breakdowns and obstructions on the highway
Do you think you will remember the 105 number easily?
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Written by Julie Scanlon
Julie is Editor for Kidspot NZ and our MVP. Her hobbies include laughing uncontrollably at her own jokes, annoying her family by asking questions about movie plots, and never taking anything too seriously. She speaks a little Spanish and a lot of Yorkshire.
Favourite motto to live by: “It ain’t nothing but a thing”
Awesome idea having this number!! Often I have thought about how to contact the police for minor things but not emergency related matters. Great work NZ Police!!
This is a great idea, it seems like there is not often people around to answer the phone at the local police station so 111 is used more than its required and makes it difficult to get through to for emergency purposes
This is a really good idea. Many times I have had to call police for a non emergency but finding a local police number is a bit hard. Now I could just call 105 and get though to report things. One time there was a boat floating down the Waikato with no one aboard and I had to walk all the way to work before reporting it.
A good idea…but haven’t even tried 111 and hopefully never have to be in a position that I would need to call the number. 105 number is a good idea especially if you just want to report something that is indeed not life-threatening. It will make anyone feel less intimidated to call.
This is such an awesome idea from the NZ Police! It may take me awhile to remember this phone number but it is great to see that it is now an option and hopefully more calls will be diverted to free up the emergency line for those who truly need it.
I think this number is a great idea it’s just remembering when to use it if you need to. We have used the *555 when driving too for dangerous drivers usually foreign drivers not driving properly.
What an awesome idea. I watched the video what a cool wee tune 🎶. I felt like singing and didn’t even know it. I’ve never heard of the 105 number this is awesome to know just Incase. You never know when you may not need them urgently. Very grateful for this Article.
I think that this is a brilliant idea – would be helpful to the police but easy for people to remember the non emergency number to call as well.
Didnt know about these other options to call… will need to keep it in mind though as i have called for non emergency things but 111 . .105 is easy to remember, just need to keep it as my number 1 option when the call…
Didnt know about these other options to call… will need to keep it in mind though as i have called for non emergency things but 111 . .105 is easy to remember, just need to keep it as my number 1 option when making the call…
Now that’s a great idea – there have actually been a couple of occasions where I have needed to call Police, but not a life threatening emergency, although something that had to be reported right away. I tried to call our local Police Station but no one answered even after holding for ages. I ended up calling 111 as I didn’t know what else to do ;( So glad to hear about this