Full Breakdown
NZ First Opposes Key Provisions in New Crimes Act Reform
7/3/2026, 9:07:01 AM
Core Provisions of the Crimes Amendment Bill
The bill creates a specific offence for anyone who intends to injure a first-responder or Corrections officer, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment. It also introduces an offence for “coward punches” – unexpected blows to the head or neck. If a coward punch results in death, the conduct may be prosecuted as manslaughter; if not, the maximum term is fifteen years.
Coalition Promise vs. Enacted Legislation
The coalition agreement between the National Party and NZ First stipulated bespoke legislation that would include minimum mandatory prison sentences for assaults on first responders and for coward punches. The current Crimes Amendment Bill, however, omits any mandatory minimums. The Parliament Office of the Clerk advised that amending the Sentencing Act 2002 would be required to impose such minima, a step that falls outside the bill’s legislative scope.
NZ First’s Political Response
Winston Peters, leader of NZ First, described the outcome as “seriously disappointed” given the party’s long-standing policy of mandatory sentencing. He argued that without “serious sentencing changes” the new coward-punch law is “tantamount to pointless window dressing.” Peters announced that NZ First will campaign on the issue in the upcoming election and will table amendments in the House to address the perceived shortcomings.
Justice Select Committee Findings
The justice select committee, after reviewing public submissions, highlighted several practical concerns: the coward-punch offence may be harder to prove than the existing manslaughter provision, potentially creating confusion and adding complexity to prosecutions. Committee members warned that juries might struggle to reach a majority verdict, undermining convictions, and some recommended removing the manslaughter provision altogether. The committee also noted that implementing mandatory minimums would require changes to the Sentencing Act 2002, which the current bill does not address.
Data & Penalties Overview
- Assault on first responders/corrections officers: up to 7 years imprisonment.
- Coward punch (non-fatal): up to 15 years imprisonment.
- Coward punch resulting in death: prosecutable as manslaughter (penalty not specified in the source).
Criticism & Opposition
NZ First’s frustration centers on the absence of mandatory minimums and the perceived “watered-down” nature of the reforms. Submitters to the select committee echoed these concerns, arguing that the new offence could be “unlikely to be prosecuted” and might “undermine the ability to get convictions.” The party’s stance reflects broader political pressure to deliver tougher sentencing ahead of the election.
Verbatim Quotes
- “seriously disappointed” given NZ First’s “long-standing policy” of introducing minimum mandatory sentences. — Winston Peters, NZ First leader
- “Without serious sentencing changes, it makes this new coward punch law tantamount to pointless window dressing.” — Winston Peters, NZ First leader
- “We are seriously frustrated and disappointed about these aspects of the watered-down law changes and will be tabling amendments in the House to address this.” — Winston Peters, NZ First leader
- “Those parties who use ‘tough on crime’ as a soundbite don’t cut it if they don’t back it up.” — Winston Peters, NZ First leader
- “Some of us share their concerns about the risk that juries might be unable to reach a majority verdict, undermining the ability to get convictions.” — Justice Select Committee member
What’s Next
With the general election approaching, NZ First plans to foreground the sentencing issue in its campaign platform. The party intends to introduce amendment bills in Parliament to reinstate mandatory minimum sentences and to clarify the prosecution of coward punches. The justice select committee’s recommendations may also shape future legislative revisions, pending political negotiations.
