The number of deaths on New Zealand roads over the Christmas holiday period has fallen for a second consecutive year, with provisional figures showing seven fatalities for the 2025–26 period.
The toll is less than half the 15 deaths recorded during the same holiday period last year and well below the 22 deaths recorded in the 2023–24 Christmas break.
New Zealand Police director of road policing Superintendent Steve Greally says while the reduction is encouraging, it is not a cause for celebration.
“That’s still seven deaths too many. Seven families have lost loved ones, for no good reason, and instead of being able to celebrate during this holiday season, their lives have been changed forever,” Greally says.
Police say the lower holiday toll comes amid a broader drop in annual road deaths, with the provisional number of road deaths in 2025 currently 272, down from 292 in 2024.
Greally says this marks three years in a row that road deaths have reduced, which he says is due in large part to Operation Open Roads.
“Over the last three years, we have seen constant reductions in the number of fatalities on our roads, while we have also nearly tripled the number of alcohol breath tests in that same period.
“For another year, our officers have worked tirelessly to ensure we can do everything possible to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities on our roads.”
Police conducted nearly four and a half million alcohol breath tests in the 2024–25 financial year and issued more than half a million speeding infringements.
“Breath testing and speed enforcement are two of our main focus areas, and we will continue to make no excuses for stopping and testing people,” Greally says.
However, he says police are still seeing poor decisions behind the wheel, particularly around speed.
“Unfortunately, we are still seeing evidence that people are making the wrong decisions when it comes to speed,” he says.
“Our aim is to see the number of speed infringements issued drop, which is an indication that people are doing the right thing, and following the sign-posted speed limits.
“Plan your journey ahead so you have plenty of time and are never in a rush on the road.”
Police says it rolled out roadside drug driver testing in the Wellington region in December and expects to scale up nationally between April and June 2026.
Greally says police will continue targeting unsafe driving behaviour through road policing operations and patrols, especially in higher-risk crash areas, and is urging drivers to keep safety front of mind over the holiday period.
“Put your seatbelt on, keep your speed down, put your cellphone away and make sure you are driving free of fatigue, drugs and alcohol,” he says.
“We want everybody to reach their destination safely. Stay patient on the roads, and make sure you do everything you can to keep everybody safe.”
