Security

There is an increased global risk of terrorism. No country is immune from a terrorist attack, and no person is immune from becoming a victim of an attack. Terrorists have little regard for civilian casualties and, in many cases, attacks are designed to maximise casualties.

Although New Zealand travellers may not be targeted deliberately, they are usually indistinguishable from any “Western” tourist, and frequent places where other Western tourists are found. This puts New Zealanders at the same risk as others.

Wherever you are, you should keep yourself informed about the latest alerts and stay aware of your surroundings in areas where large numbers of people congregate, such as shopping malls, markets, monuments, demonstrations and on any public transport.

In Afghanistan the high threat of terrorism continues with bombings, kidnappings and attacks by suicide bombers. Groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan have been implicated in terrorist incidents in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Extreme Risk

Destinations in Central Asia where we advise against all travel.

Afghanistan

There is extreme risk to your security in Afghanistan and we advise against all travel. The hostile and unpredictable security situation, high and ongoing threat from terrorism and kidnapping of foreigners present a significant risk to New Zealanders in Afghanistan. New Zealanders currently in Afghanistan with concerns for their safety are advised to depart. 

New Zealanders who decide to travel to Afghanistan against our advice should ensure that appropriate personal security protection measures are in place at all times. We strongly recommend you consult a reputable security company with experience in Afghanistan for advice on security arrangements. Security arrangements should be reviewed on a regular basis. Such measures may mitigate the risks to your safety but cannot eliminate them entirely. 

Azerbaijan

There is extreme risk to your security in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the surrounding military-occupied area due to political tension and the potential for armed conflict. We advise against all travel to this area.

Georgia

There is extreme risk to your security in the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and the areas immediately surrounding them and we advise against all travel. Terrorist and criminal activity and unexploded mines and ordnance makes travel to these areas extremely dangerous. 

As these regions are not under the control of Georgian authorities, the New Zealand Government has a severely limited ability to provide assistance to New Zealand citizens.

High Risk

Destinations in Central Asia where we advise against tourist and other non-essential travel.

Kyrgyzstan

There is high risk to your security in the Ferghana Valley and areas bordering Uzbekistan and Tajikistan due to the uncertain security situation and the presence of landmines. We advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel to these areas. 

Tajikistan

There is high risk to your security in areas bordering Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan due to criminal activity and the presence of landmines and we advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel to these areas. 

There is high risk to your security in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast due to the uncertain security situation and we advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel to this area.

Uzbekistan

There is high risk to your security in the areas bordering Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan (including the city of Andijan) due to the uncertain security situation and landmines. We advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel to these areas. 

Some Risk

Destinations in Central Asia where we advise caution.

Azerbaijan

There is some risk to your security elsewhere in Azerbaijan due to the potential for civil unrest and we advise caution. 

Georgia

There is some risk to your security elsewhere in Georgia due to the potential for civil unrest and an underlying threat of terrorism and we advise caution.

Kazakhstan

There is some risk to your security in Kazakhstan due to terrorism and violent crime and we advise caution.

Kyrgyzstan

There is some risk to your security elsewhere in Kyrgyzstan due to violent crime, terrorism and the potential for civil unrest and we advise caution. 

Tajikistan

There is some risk to your security elsewhere in Tajikistan due to the threat from terrorism and we advise caution.

Uzbekistan

There is some risk to your security elsewhere in Uzbekistan due to the threat from terrorism and violent crime and we advise caution.