Data showed 49,000 fewer victims compared with two years prior
According to the latest New Zealand crime and victims survey, the government has continued tracking ahead of its violent crime reduction target, with 49,000 fewer victims in the year leading up to October 2025, compared with the previous two years.
Paul Goldsmith, justice minister, shared that the most recent figures showed that 136,000 New Zealanders were victims of violent crime in the 12 months leading up to last October.
In a news release, the government attributed the “huge drop” in the number of violent crime victims to its tough-on-crime approach and the near doubling of police foot patrols. Goldsmith explained that the government has worked to:
“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,” Goldsmith said in the government’s news release.
Mark Mitchell, police minister, said a back-to-basics approach helped reduce violent crime. In the news release, Mitchell added that more police visibility in communities helped deter crime and keep offenders off the streets.
According to Mitchell, through investment in the frontline, a beat team recently launched in Hamilton, among 11 other new or expanded beat teams nationwide.
“Our beat officers do an outstanding job at keeping the public, businesses and retailers safe,” Mitchell said in the news release. “We know there is a lot more to do but these results show we are heading in the right direction.”
Karen Chhour, children’s minister, noted that Oranga Tamariki figures revealed a 22 percent decrease in serious repeat youth offending, compared with when the government came into office.
In the news release, she highlighted that the government is significantly ahead of its target of a 15 percent reduction before 2030.
Chhour attributed the lower figure to young offenders’ awareness that their actions will have consequences, with closer collaboration among Oranga Tamariki, courts, and police.
“We promised to fix what matters to New Zealanders,” she said in the news release. “Ram raids are down 85 per cent. 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.”
While welcoming the significant decrease in the number of victims, Goldsmith emphasised that the government’s work must go on.
“Our Government remains committed to restoring the basics in law and order and building a future where New Zealanders can feel safe in their communities,” Goldsmith said in the government’s news release. “This is going to be another busy year.”
Goldsmith shared that the government announced plans to authorise police to issue move-on orders to address disorderly behaviour and improve trespass laws through new legislation. Goldsmith noted the Crimes Amendment Bill’s progress through the legislative process.
