Luxon Addresses Crime Stats & New Police Teams | New Zealand
New Zealand Government Cites Drop in Violent Crime, Announces Increased Police Presence
Auckland, New Zealand – – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, alongside Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell, today announced a reported decrease in violent crime across New Zealand. The announcement came during a media conference held in central Auckland, scheduled to begin around .
According to the latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey, the government reports 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime in the year leading up to October 2025, compared to two years prior. Prime Minister Luxon stated he was encouraged by the figures, but emphasized that more work remains to be done, asserting that “Any victim of a serious violent crime is unacceptable.”
The government attributes the decline to its “tough on crime” approach, implemented since taking office. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith highlighted a series of reforms, including changes to the sentencing regime intended to increase imprisonment for serious offenders, and new tools for police to address gang activity. He stated the coalition has been “working tirelessly to restore real consequences for crime, and to place victims back at the centre of the justice system.” Specific reforms mentioned included stopping taxpayer funding for cultural reports, making stalking a jailable offense, granting victims of sexual assault more control over name suppression, and reinstating the Three Strikes law.
Alongside legislative changes, the government is also increasing police visibility. Police are launching a new “beat team” in Hamilton this week, bringing the total number of such teams nationwide to twelve. Luxon referenced the beat teams, along with gang disruption units and recently passed laws regarding stalking, as evidence that the government’s actions are “working.” He also pointed to anecdotal evidence, citing a retailer who reported a significant drop in retail crime events, attributing it to increased police presence.
Luxon acknowledged the need for continued effort, stating the government has “learnt in the past 24 months what was working.” When questioned about concrete data linking the decrease in crime to specific government policies, both Luxon and Goldsmith repeatedly referenced the new police beat teams and other initiatives.
The announcement comes as police continue to search for Tom Phillips, a fugitive father from Marokopa, and his children, who were recently located by authorities. While not directly related to the crime statistics released today, the case has garnered significant public attention and underscores the government’s focus on law and order.
Auror, a company focused on tackling retail crime, recently opened a global headquarters in Auckland, signaling a broader effort to address crime across various sectors.