Farmers are finding new ways of fighting stock theft as well as catching out cannabis growers.
A security company has built the country's first underground surveillance system which does not need mains power or cellular networks.
Specialist Surveillance Services Limited director Roger Winslade says it has already caught poachers who entered a private forest in Auckland last week.
"It's basically a very sophisticated device for picking up metal. If metal comes within 17 metres of it, it is triggered and sends the alert through, so there are no false activations with animals, wind or anything like that."
Federated Farmers estimates $120 million is stolen from rural properties each year in the form of stock, general farm equipment and petrol or diesel.
It has created the Stop Stock Theft website with police, where victims can report stock theft anonymously to build a database on when and where theft happens most.
Rural security spokesperson Katie Milne says at this time of year especially, cannabis growers are rife in secluded areas and they'll often steal equipment and fuel as well.
Roger Winslade says the detector is the first of its kind in New Zealand.
Surveillance cameras are becoming a regular feature on New Zealand farms. Photo: RNZ
