The coalition government has passed changes to sentencing laws aimed at ending what it calls a “culture of excuses” for violent crime.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says the reforms reflect public frustration with lenient sentencing and send a clear message to the courts.
Judges will now be limited to a maximum 40% discount in sentencing, with repeat deductions for youth and remorse scrapped. New aggravating factors have been introduced, including harsher penalties for livestreaming crimes, exploiting youth, or targeting sole-charge workers.
“We’ve seen too many violent offenders walk away with light sentences,” Goldsmith said. “That ends this week.” Offenders will also face tougher consequences for committing crimes while on bail, in custody, or on parole. Early guilty pleas will earn smaller reductions the later they are made.
The legislation was passed with support from National’s coalition partners. NZ First’s Jamie Arbuckle called it a long-overdue correction. “This bill restores real consequences for crime.” ACT’s Todd Stephenson said the public has been clear: they want stronger sentences, not more excuses.
Opposition parties voted against the bill, arguing that longer sentences won’t solve underlying issues. Labour’s Duncan Webb called the changes “short-sighted.”
Green MP Tamatha Paul said longer incarceration just creates “better criminals.” Te Pāti Māori’s Tākuta Ferris blamed poverty and over-incarceration on “the actions of successive governments,” dismissing the idea of personal responsibility in the process.
Centrist Ltd.