Vero teams up with Kiwi start-up aiming to cut rural crime in half   

7 November 2022

General insurance company Vero has today announced a collaboration with Farmgate, a NZ-based start-up which is redefining security for Kiwi farmers. 

Vero Executive Manager Rural Portfolios, Sonya Whitney says it’s great to be in a position to help to reduce rural crime by joining forces with Farmgate, especially considering that rural theft is on the rise. 

“Rural theft is an ongoing issue in New Zealand, 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 claims numbers. 

Farmgate is an access control system for rural properties that utilises three arms of defence; a system of outdoor cameras, real time licence plate identification that links with a NZ Police stolen vehicle register and a solar powered barrier arm.

Whitney says “By collaborating with Farmgate, Vero is hoping to bring awareness to the support that these theft reduction services can have.  

“Farmgate is doing fantastic work in the theft reduction space and we’re pleased to be launching this partnership at the A&P show in Canterbury this week. 

Farmgate Managing Director Andrew Sing says the start-up is delighted to have joined forces with Vero to confront rural theft. 

He says the system was influenced by rising rural crime and the fact that more than 50% of Kiwi farmers have fallen victim to theft, burglary, or other crime.

“We’ve estimated that up to 60% of rural crime incidents could occur in a stolen vehicle, usually through the front entrance of the property. 

“This is what makes the Farmgate system so game-changing for farmers, 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,” Sing says. 

The Farmgate system also connects to the NZ Police stolen vehicle register, which means farmers with the system are automatically notified if there’s a stolen vehicle in their area via a free app.  

Sing says before the launch of Farmgate, rural entrances have historically been open and unmonitored, leaving farms increasingly exposed to unwanted visitors.