By Annette Scott and Alan Emerson
A joining of forces between insurance company Vero and Farmgate’s smart new technology is set to redefine security for Kiwi farmers (kaimahi pāmu).
Farmgate, a New Zealand-based start-up, is an access control system for rural properties that utilises three arms of defence; a system of outdoor cameras, real time licence plate identification and a solar powered barrier arm.
With rural (taiwhenua) crime on the rise in NZ, it is estimated that more than half of all farmers have been the victim of theft.
Statistics also show more than 60% of farm (pāmu) thefts take place in a stolen vehicle usually passing through the farm’s front entrance.
The Farmgate systems, combining smart tech, cameras and a physical barrier arm, all work together putting farmers fully in control of who gets onto their property. “It stops rural crime in its tracks,” Farmgate managing director Andrew Sing said.
“Until now rural entrances have been largely open and unmonitored, leaving farms exposed to unwanted visitors.”
The Farmgate system lets farmers track every vehicle entering or exiting their farm through its app.
The barrier arm will open for authorised vehicles but if any vehicle isn’t recognised the barrier comes down, the farmer is notified and they can deal with it accordingly.
Farmgate accesses the NZ Police stolen vehicle register which means farmers are notified immediately if there’s a stolen vehicle in their area.
“We call this our FarmCOP service, the app is free, you don’t need a Farmgate system installed, although it does help.
“This is what makes the Farmgate system so game-changing, as when a vehicle approaches the property, Farmgate can automatically verify the licence plate, authorised vehicles like milk tankers are automatically admitted, otherwise the barrier arm drops to keep them out.”
The Farmgate system can be tailored to individual farm needs,” Sing said.
Vero executive manager rural portfolios Sonya Whitney said it is great to be in a position to help to reduce rural crime by joining forces with Farmgate, especially given the increase in rural theft since 2021.
“Rural theft is an ongoing issue in NZ with Vero paying out $2 million since the beginning of this year in claims costs for theft and burglary losses against rural policies.
“Even more significant is that this is a 34% increase on the 2021 claim numbers,” Whitney said.
In the meantime, the North Canterbury districts of Waimakariri and Hurunui are trialling Rural Lookout, a new Police app that enables people to log suspicious activity quickly and easily using a smartphone or via a website.
Rural Lookout is designed to capture incidents that often go unreported, such as illegal hunting, trespassing, drones, deliberate damage, theft of fuel and stock and other suspicious incidents.
Senior constable Tony Maw said rural communities (hapori) can be reluctant or slow to report incidents.
“The number 8 wire attitude is strong in our communities. People often deal with things themselves or think police are too busy to bother, or they wait to tell us when they bump into us, but then it’s too late.
“By offering an alternative way to report incidents, that’s quick and convenient, hopefully we’ll see an increase in reporting, which will give us a clearer picture of what’s happening in our rural communities.”
All the information submitted via the app will be entered into the police National Intelligence Application and triaged as per normal.
The app doesn’t replace 111 in emergencies, nor 105 online.
The launch of the Rural Lookout app is part of a two-year trial that aims to increase reporting and take a prevention approach to reducing rural crime.
The project is being managed by the prevention development team and is part of the Locks, Lights and Lines of Sight initiative.
As well as the app, the trial will utilise geospatial capability to create a rural crime dashboard for the trial area.
Project Manager Lisa May said the first step is to increase reporting, then using geospatial analysis, identify trends and determine what crime prevention measures could be used and where.
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon welcomed the initiative.
“Rural crime has been on the rise and rural communities are rightly concerned about this.
“It’s great to see NZ Police looking at new ways to equip farmers to report rural crime and be involved in combating this rise.
“I strongly encourage everyone in our rural communities to download this app and use it to report suspicious activity and help play a part in making our rural areas safer,” Gordon said.
Wairarapa Police are also starting a new rural policing initiative aimed at getting a police presence to make the rural hinterland a safer place.
“Our intention is to have a personal interaction with farmers,: Sergeant Steve Cameron said.
“The issues with rural crime are considerable. Poaching is a real issue and the theft of petrol, quads, trailers and farm bikes is a major problem.
“I want the rural community to enjoy the same level of policing the towns currently do.”
