Mazda models top list of most stolen cars in Hawke’s Bay, older cars the most common target

The Mazda Atenza has topped the list for the most stolen car in Hawke's Bay for 2025.

Several different makes of Mazda top the list of most stolen vehicles in Hawke’s Bay for 2025.

A second-hand car seller and an insurance company agree there is one factor aiding in the theft of these vehicles.

AMI Insurance has released its lists of the country’s most stolen cars for 2025.

In Hawke’s Bay, the top three cars on the list were all made by Mazda, with the brand’s Demio model in third, Axela in second and Atenza in first.

Dave Panton, from Dave Panton Car Sales in Taradale, was surprised to hear that the Mazda had taken out the top spots on the list but added any car older than 2014 had a bigger chance of getting stolen than a more modern car.

Panton recommended second-hand car buyers look at “anything with a smart key” and suggested cars stolen over the past year used classic key start engines, which can make a vehicle easier to steal.

Despite Mazda topping the list, Panton still happily sells modern Mazda vehicles from his sale yard and says newer models cannot be easily stolen.

The fourth most stolen vehicle in Hawke’s Bay for 2025 was 2024’s number one, the Nissan Tiida, followed by the Toyota Aqua, Mitsubishi Lancer, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Mazda6 and Toyota Vitz in tenth.

The top 10 most stolen cars nationally are the Toyota Aqua, followed by Toyota Corolla Nissan Tiida, Mazda Demio, Toyota Vitz, Toyota Hilux, Subaru Impreza, Mazda Atenza, Toyota Mark X and Mazda Axela in 10th.

According to AMI, about 64% of stolen vehicles are recovered and only 40% are repairable – with the remainder typically written off and auctioned for parts.

Despite the most stolen car nationally being a hybrid, hybrid cars accounted for only about 5% of total thefts in 2025, with petrol or diesel-powered vehicles making up the vast majority.

Steph Ferris, AMI executive general manager of claims, said claims had been relatively lower over the past few years, after a peak in 2023.

“Lower crime rates, improved security systems in newer vehicles, and New Zealanders adopting security practices – including being more mindful about where they park – likely play a part in this,” she said.

Ferris said AMI was seeing a clear trend when it comes to vehicle age and theft risk, with nearly nine in 10 stolen vehicles being older than 10 years.

“Older vehicles often lack modern, electronic encrypted locking systems, making them easier for thieves to compromise,” she said.

Ferris said there were a number of anti-theft measures to consider, like car alarm systems, immobilisers, fuel cut out switches, steering wheel locks, handbrake locks, as well as parking behind a locked gate if a garage isn’t available.

Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and has worked in radio and media in the UK, Germany, and New Zealand.