New Zealand’s police force is under-resourced, under-funded and over-stressed, says Insurance Council of New Zealand CEO Chris Ryan. He says young thieves are taking advantage of the situation to steal cars at an increasing rate.

The council is trying to get the country’s law enforcement chiefs behind a campaign to lower the rate of car thefts. Mr Ryan says NZ police are stretched to the limit. “Young, opportunistic thieves are taking advantage of the situation.”

Although NZ doesn’t have the sort of heroin trade-related problems of Australia, a growing amphetamine trade has boosted the need for more cars on the black market, he says.

“The demand for stolen cars has gone through the roof, and the situation’s becoming harder for insurers to handle,” he said. “Something needs to be done.”

High-performance cars like the Holden Monaro and Subaru WRX are the most commonly sought vehicles for the local black market.