Government Passes Tougher Sentencing Laws to Curb Serious Crime

“Communities and hardworking New Zealanders should not be made to live and work in fear,” Goldsmith said.

The New Zealand Government has officially passed sweeping reforms to the country’s sentencing laws, marking what Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith calls a “major step in restoring law and order.” The changes, which completed their final reading in Parliament today, aim to ensure that serious and repeat offenders face longer prison sentences and fewer opportunities for leniency in court.

“These reforms deliver on our promise to restore real consequences for crime,” said Goldsmith. “We are responding to years of growing violent crime and public concern that the justice system has become too soft on offenders. That ends today.”

Background: A Shift Toward Tougher Sentencing

In recent years, courts have increasingly imposed shorter and less frequent prison sentences, even as rates of violent crime, aggravated robberies, and ram raids surged across the country. The Government argues that leniency and a culture of excuses have weakened public confidence in the justice system and left victims feeling neglected.

“Communities and hardworking New Zealanders should not be made to live and work in fear,” Goldsmith said. “Victims deserve justice — they are our priority.”

Key Changes Under the Sentencing Reform Package

The new legislation includes several significant measures aimed at reversing sentencing trends and reinforcing public safety:

• Sentence Discount Cap: Judges can now apply sentence discounts of no more than 40% for mitigating factors, such as youth or remorse — unless exceeding that cap would result in a manifestly unjust outcome.

• No More Repeat Discounts: Offenders will no longer benefit repeatedly from youth-related or remorse-based discounts, particularly when they show no genuine effort to reform.

• Retail Crime Crackdown: A new aggravating factor targets serious retail crime, especially offences committed against sole-charge workers or in cases where a person’s home and business are interconnected — a specific commitment from the National-Act coalition agreement.

• Cumulative Sentencing: Courts are now encouraged to impose cumulative (consecutive) sentences for crimes committed while on bail, in custody, or on parole — behaviour that demonstrates disregard for the justice system. This reflects terms agreed with New Zealand First in the coalition agreement.

• Guilty Plea Sliding Scale: A structured system now governs sentencing discounts for guilty pleas. Early pleas can receive a maximum of 25%, but this drops to 5% for pleas entered during trial. This change is designed to avoid last-minute plea deals and reduce the emotional and financial toll on victims.

• Victim-Centered Sentencing: Courts are now required to consider any information submitted about the interests and impact on victims during sentencing — a principle agreed upon in both coalition arrangements.

New Aggravating Factors Added

Two new aggravating factors have also been introduced into law:

1. Exploitation of Children and Youth: Adults who aid, abet, or otherwise exploit children to commit crimes will face harsher penalties.

2. Criminal Glorification: Offenders who livestream or share videos of their crimes online to boast or gain notoriety will be met with tougher sentences.

Looking Ahead: Government’s Crime Reduction Targets

These reforms are part of the Government’s broader commitment to reducing violent crime and youth offending. Minister Goldsmith reaffirmed the coalition’s specific goals:

• 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by 2029

• 15% reduction in serious repeat youth offending

“Our justice system must stand firmly on the side of law-abiding citizens and victims,” said Goldsmith. “These changes send a clear message — criminal behaviour will have serious, real consequences in New Zealand.”

The reforms are now law and will take effect immediately, with courts and corrections officials expected to begin applying the new standards in sentencing decisions across the country.