(and the 30-Second Hack Targeted at Push-to-Start Models)
If you own a car in New Zealand, theft statistics are sobering. According to recent insurance data from AMI, New Zealand insurers process over 9,000 vehicle theft and attempted theft claims every single year.
While older, everyday Japanese imports consistently top the total volume list due to a lack of factory immobilisers, a dangerous shift is happening across suburban driveways in Auckland, Canterbury, Waikato, and Wellington: the emergence of digital theft targeted at keyless, push-to-start vehicles.
Whether you drive a daily commuter, a modern hybrid, or a high-value utility vehicle, understanding how car theft has evolved in NZ is the first step to making sure your driveway isn’t empty tomorrow morning.
New Zealand’s Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles
Year after year, the theft statistics show New Zealanders’ love for practical, Japanese-built vehicles. But they also show which models thieves target most:
±-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| NZ’S MOST STOLEN CAR MODELS |
±-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1. Toyota Aqua | 6. Toyota Hilux |
| 2. Toyota Corolla | 7. Subaru Impreza |
| 3. Nissan Tiida | 8. Mazda Atenza |
| 4. Mazda Demio | 9. Toyota Mark X |
| 5. Toyota Vitz | 10. Mazda Axela |
±-----------------------------------------------------------------+
*Source: AMI / IAG Insurance Annual Vehicle Theft Data.
| NZ’S MOST STOLEN CAR MODELS |
±-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1. Toyota Aqua | 6. Toyota Hilux |
| 2. Toyota Corolla | 7. Subaru Impreza |
| 3. Nissan Tiida | 8. Mazda Atenza |
| 4. Mazda Demio | 9. Toyota Mark X |
| 5. Toyota Vitz | 10. Mazda Axela |
±-----------------------------------------------------------------+
*Source: AMI / IAG Insurance Annual Vehicle Theft Data.
The Two Types of Car Thieves Operating in NZ
The Opportunists (Mechanical Theft): Targeting older vehicles (10+ years old), such as entry-level Aquas or Demios, that lack electronic immobilisers. These are broken into mechanically, hotwired, or forced via the ignition barrel, mostly for joyrides or ram raids.
The Professionals (Digital Relay Attacks): Targeting modern keyless cars, push-to-start hybrids, and late-model utes (like the Toyota Hilux, modern Mazdas, and Euro SUVs). These thieves don’t smash glass. They intercept the radio frequency emitted by your key fob while it sits on your kitchen bench.
The Hidden Threat: How the 30-Second “Relay Hack” Works
If your vehicle unlocks when you touch the door handle or starts at the push of a button, your key fob is constantly broadcasting a low-frequency radio signal, waiting for your car to respond.
Thieves exploit this convenience using a technique called a Relay Attack.
[ Thief 1 near your front door ] ──(Picks up Fob Signal)──> [ Transmits across driveway ] ──> [ Thief 2 near your car ] ──> [ Car Unlocks & Starts ]
Targeting the House:
Thief #1 approaches your front door, lounge window, or exterior garage wall holding a wireless signal amplifier. This device picks up the passive signal your key fob emits inside your home.
Relaying the Signal:
The amplifier instantly beams that signal across your yard to Thief #2, who is standing next to your vehicle carrying a receiver.
The Instant Handshake:
The car is fooled into believing the key fob is standing right next to the driver’s door. The doors pop open, the push-to-start button activates, and the car is driven off in under 30 seconds.
Because no glass is broken and no alarms are triggered, most owners don’t realise their car is gone until hours later. Furthermore, insurance data shows that while around 64% of stolen vehicles in NZ are eventually recovered, over half are written off or completely stripped for parts.
Why Budget “Faraday Bags” Fail
As relay theft has hit the news, many vehicle owners are trying to protect their key fobs with cheap $10 pouches ordered from discount import sites like Temu or AliExpress.
Unfortunately, an illusion of protection is more dangerous than no protection at all.
Single-Layer Degradation: Cheap pouches use low-grade conductive sprays or single-layered mesh. After a few weeks of being pulled in and out of your pocket, the silvering flakes off, leaving micro-gaps.
Frequency Leaks: Low-grade bags may dull standard key signals, but fail to block high-frequency 5G, RFID, or amplified relay frequencies.
The SCRT Standard: 3-Layer EliteBlock™ Isolation
Stopping a relay attack requires physical laws, not cheap materials.
At SCRT NZ, our gear is designed for true OPSEC and built with forensic-grade signal protection. Each SCRT product is independently tested by RF Test Solutions, a leading New Zealand laboratory specialising in radio frequency and electromagnetic testing for industry and government. Their team uses certified equipment to measure signal attenuation across the full spectrum of frequencies used by modern keyless entry systems, guaranteeing our protective materials deliver real-world results you can trust.
Independently tested by RF Test Solutions in Wellington, our proprietary EliteBlock™ fabric delivers verified attenuation (40–77 dB for single-layer and 3-layer stacked performance) to create an absolute digital blackout. For example, in a recent test, a standard key fob placed in a single-layer EliteBlock™ sleeve showed zero signal detection just one metre from the car, while inexpensive pouches allowed intermittent unlocking.
With the triple-layer shield, broadband signal loss remained consistent even after repeated folding and use, giving you peace of mind that your keys and vehicle are protected in real-life conditions.
When your key fob is inside an SCRT sleeve or box, the signal is immediately lost. It cannot be amplified, intercepted, or relayed.
How to Secure Your Vehicle Tonight
Never Store Keys Near Outer Walls: Keep your primary and spare key fobs away from front doors, windows, and exterior walls where thieves can scan them.
Use a Faraday Box at Home: Drop all household keys into an SCRT Digital Detox & Key Fob Box as soon when you enter. The box is ideal for home use, keeping multiple sets of keys securely shielded when not in use and preventing relay attacks from reaching your vehicle overnight or while you’re relaxing inside.
Shield Your Fob on the Go: When parked at shopping centres, airports, or public gym car parks, keep your fob inside an SCRT Forensic-Grade Key Fob Sleeve. The sleeve is designed for portability, protecting your key fob whenever you are out and about and need to keep your vehicle safe away from home.
Don’t wait for your vehicle to become another statistic. Take back control of your privacy and vehicle security.