New data from the latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey shows there were 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime in the year to October 2025 than two years previously.
Justice Minister, Paul Goldsmith says the Government’s “tough on crime” approach and a near doubling of police foot patrols have driven the huge drop in the number of victims of violent crime.
“Since day one, we’ve been working tirelessly to restore real consequences for crime, and to place victims back at the centre of the justice system,” said Minister Goldsmith.
“We have reformed the sentencing regime so those who cause the most harm are imprisoned for longer, given Police effective tools to deal with gangs, stopped taxpayer funding for the proliferation of cultural reports, made stalking an illegal and jailable offence, given victims of sexual assault the power to determine if offenders are granted name suppression, restored Three Strikes, and much more.”
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell says a higher visibility of Police in communities goes a long way to deterring crime and keeping criminals off the streets.
“It is no coincidence that our back-to-basics approach to policing is having a positive effect on reducing violent crime. Backing our frontline has seen more Police out on the beat, with foot patrols almost doubling since coming into Government,” said Mr Mitchell.
“Our investment into the frontline has seen 12 new and expanded beat teams stood up nationwide, including the launch of a beat team in Hamilton this week.
“Our beat officers do an outstanding job at keeping the public, businesses and retailers safe.
“We know there is a lot more to do but these results show we are heading in the right direction.”
The latest figures show 136,000 New Zealanders were victims of violent crime in the 12 months to October 2025.
Children’s Minister Karen Chhour says Oranga Tamariki figures show there has been a 22% drop in serious repeat youth offending compared with when the Government came into office.
“This is well ahead of our target of a 15% drop before 2030,” she says.
“We promised to fix what matters to New Zealanders. Ram raids are down 85%. Kiwis are no longer being expected to live in fear that their cars have been stolen and used by young offenders in a ram raid of our local small businesses.
“Young offenders are avoiding re-offending because they know Courts, Oranga Tamariki and Police are working together more closely. They know now that their actions will have consequences.”
