The aim was to reduce the number of serious violent crime victims by 20,000 by 2029
New survey data show that the government has been tracking ahead of its target for reducing violent crime, according to Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith.
“The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey shows that for the year to February, there were 157,000 victims of violent crime,” Goldsmith said in a news release. “This is 28,000 fewer victims than the baseline set in October 2023.”
In March 2024, the government announced nine targets; one target was to reduce the number of serious violent crime victims by 20,000 by 2029, equating to 165,000 victims. The data suggest that the government’s initiatives to keep Kiwis safe and restore law and order are working, Goldsmith said.
The government’s efforts included:
Police Minister Mark Mitchell said in the government’s news release that much more work is necessary to keep lowering the numbers; nonetheless, these early results are a promising sign that the government’s efforts are paying off. He lauded the police commissioner and corrections chief executive, as well as both sworn and non-sworn police and corrections teams.
“There were 12,000 fewer victims in Auckland and 5,000 fewer in Canterbury, which is credit to them all,” Mitchell said.
