A total of 48 vehicles had items such as handbags, cellphones, some of which were on chargers, a laptop being re-charged and a detached car stereo on display.
Inside one car was a raft of real estate documents with names and addresses visible and several sets of what looked to be house keys in the front console.
In several other vehicles there were also house keys, and inside at least one car there was a door open and mail on the back seat.
Several cars contained backpacks, personal documents and recent shopping purchases.
Only three people queried what this reporter was doing while walking in and out of the rows of vehicles. One car owner said she never left valuables in her car if she could help it.
"Thieves can strike at any time of the day, so if I have to leave something of value in my car for a short time I make sure I conceal it from view," she said.
Thefts from vehicles is the fourth most common way Kiwis become victims of crime.
From July 2014 to the end of 2016, 82,442 people reported having their cars broken into to police across the country.
Police and the Insurance Council are urging car owners to take a simple step towards protecting themselves against thefts by locking cars and hiding valuables from view.
This month Tauranga police sounded a warning after a spate of thefts from vehicles in Papamoa East, with at least 15 targeted in one weekend.
Papamoa police Sergeant Tristan Murray said car owners had to take care.
"You have a lock on your car for a reason so make sure you use it and prevent yourself becoming a victim of crime."
Several people in Papamoa seemed averse to locking their cars recently, he said.
None of the vehicles broken into had been locked.
"It doesn't matter where you are parked, your car can always be targeted by opportunistic thieves," Murray said.
Every time you leave your vehicle unattended, the windows should be closed and doors locked.
Tim Grafton, chief executive of the Insurance Council, said it was important people did not leave cars unlocked and valuables unsecured.
"Under your insurance policy, you have a duty of care to not increase the risk of theft. If for example you left your keys in the ignition and left your car unlocked you could have your claim declined."
Insurance Council of NZ tips for keeping your car and valuables safe
• Keep valuables such as money, tools and electronics out of sight if parked in the open and ideally remove them at night
• Secure your car in a locked garage if possible or park in a well-lit area
• Remove face plates from stereos
• Lock your car even if unattended for a few moments, including when paying for petrol
• Display the security sticker prominently
• Consider getting an alarm installed if it is an older model vehicle
• If your car is high-value or extensively modified, install a tracking device
• Consider light-motion sensors or visible security cameras if parking in a driveway
Police stats: Thefts from cars
Thefts of car contents or parts in Tauranga in 12 months to September 30.
558 - number of thefts
Saturdays - most common day for thefts from cars, followed by Fridays
Thursdays - least common day, followed by Sundays
3pm - most common time for thefts from cars, followed by 2pm
Note: In all but 189 thefts, the time and day it happened were not known.
Source: policedata.nz