Articles tagged with Crime
New Crimes Act Amendments Boost Retailer Arrest Powers and Toughen Penalties
2 days ago | 109 viewsThe Crimes Act Amendment Bill, recently passed in Parliament, enhances powers for businesses and citizens to detain and arrest offenders, introduces stronger penalties for retail crime, assaults on first responders, and coward punches, and strengthens trafficking laws. It expands citizens' arrest powers to intervene in any Crimes Act offence at any time, requires police notification and adherence to instructions, and clarifies the use of reasonable force and restraints during arrests. These measures aim to better protect retailers, first responders, and the public while addressing law and order issues before the upcoming election.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Crimes Act Amendment Bill Justice Minister retail crime first responders coward punches citizen’s arrest trafficking laws shoplifting infringementNew Crimes Act Bill Empowers Businesses to Arrest Shoplifters and Protect First Responders
4 days ago | 107 viewsThe Government's Crimes Act Amendment Bill aims to strengthen law and order by granting businesses expanded powers to detain and arrest offenders, introducing harsher penalties for retail crime, assaults on first responders, and coward punches. The legislation includes new specific offences, an enhanced shoplifting infringement regime, and clarifies citizens' arrest powers, allowing intervention at any time and the use of reasonable force. These changes are designed to better protect retailers, frontline workers, and the public while closing legal loopholes related to trafficking and people smuggling.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Crimes Act Amendment Bill retail crime first responders coward punches citizen’s arrest New Zealand Government trafficking laws shoplifting infringementNew Workplace Guide Empowers Employers to Support Employees Facing Stalking
2 weeks ago | 223 viewsMinister for Women Nicola Grigg has launched a new guide to help workplaces support employees experiencing stalking, emphasizing the serious impact stalking has on victims' health and safety. Developed by the Ministry for Women in collaboration with Shine and Human Resources New Zealand, the guide offers practical steps for employers to recognize stalking behaviors, respond to disclosures, manage risks, and provide specialist support. This initiative complements recent legal changes criminalizing stalking, aiming to create safer workplace environments and hold perpetrators accountable.
Tags: Nicola Grigg stalking workplaces Ministry for Women Shine Human Resources New Zealand family violence harassment Crimes Act victimsNew Zealand Unifies AML/CFT Regulation Under DIA to Combat Financial Crime
1 month ago | 346 viewsNew Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has become the sole regulator for anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), consolidating oversight of about 6,100 reporting entities to provide clearer guidance and reduce compliance burdens. The government has passed multiple reform bills and launched a four-year AML/CFT National Strategy (2026–2030) aimed at making it easier to do business while targeting organized crime and fraud. An industry levy, starting in July 2027 and designed with sector input, will help fund enhanced intelligence sharing, supervision, and regulatory administration to strengthen New Zealand’s ability to detect and disrupt money laundering.
Tags: Nicole McKee Department of Internal Affairs New Zealand Financial Markets Authority Reserve Bank Ministry of Justice Financial Intelligence Unit organised crimeNew Zealand Criminalizes Stalking with Up to 5 Years Prison Starting Tonight
2 months ago | 515 viewsStarting tonight, stalking becomes a criminal offense in New Zealand, punishable by up to five years in prison, signaling the government's commitment to addressing this harmful behavior. The new law defines stalking as a pattern of behavior likely to cause fear or distress, including acts such as following, contacting, damaging property, and doxing, with legal mechanisms like police notices and sentencing limits in place. This legislation responds to widespread advocacy and aims to protect victims, particularly women, from the serious emotional, psychological, and economic harm caused by stalking and harassment.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Justice Minister stalking harassment Crimes Legislation Amendment Act New Zealand victims sexual violence Justice Committee doxingBudget 2026 Boosts NZ Customs with $81.5M to Fight Drugs and Crime
2 months ago | 618 viewsBudget 2026 allocates $81.5 million to enhance New Zealand Customs' capacity to combat illegal drugs and organized crime through upgraded equipment, improved facilities, and expanded international presence. The funding supports two main initiatives: $70.7 million for domestic border security enhancements and $10.8 million to establish four new international liaison posts in strategic regions to disrupt criminal networks offshore. Customs Minister Casey Costello emphasizes the importance of these investments in strengthening border protection, international cooperation, and maintaining efficient trade facilitation amid rising smuggling threats.
Tags: Budget 2026 Customs New Zealand Casey Costello transnational crime illicit drugs smuggling border security international posts organised crimeCustoms Minister Casey Costello Visits Samoa and Fiji for Pacific Crime Summit
2 months ago | 501 viewsCustoms and Associate Police Minister Casey Costello is visiting Samoa and Fiji to fulfill her responsibilities and attend the Pacific Transnational Crime Summit Minister’s meeting. The summit, jointly hosted by Fiji and Australia, gathers over 15 Pacific Police Ministers to enhance regional cooperation against transnational crime. During her visit, Ms. Costello is meeting with Samoan officials and conducting operational visits to key security facilities in Samoa.
Tags: Casey Costello Masinalupe Leatuavao Makesi Pisi Samoa Fiji Pacific Transnational Crime Summit Customs Associate Police Minister Pacific Police Ministers New Zealand Apia Port$11.9M Reinvested to Combat Meth and Gang Harm in NZ Communities
2 months ago | 579 viewsNew Zealand's government will reinvest $11.9 million seized from criminals into the Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC) programme to combat methamphetamine and gang-related harm. ROCC collaborates with police and community groups across seven regions to prevent gang recruitment, support offenders, and aid communities affected by drug and gang activity through practical initiatives with measurable outcomes. This funding, sourced from the Proceeds of Crime Fund, underscores the government's commitment to reducing organized crime and its impact on vulnerable populations without relying solely on enforcement.
Tags: Nicole McKee Casey Costello ROCC Proceeds of Crime Fund New Zealand methamphetamine gangs organised crime Police WELLfedNew Zealand Imposes New Sanctions Targeting Russian Cyber Actors and Supporters
3 months ago | 572 viewsNew Zealand has announced its 35th round of sanctions targeting 20 individuals and entities supporting Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, including those involved in cybercrime, propaganda, and military support. The sanctions also address an alternative payment provider facilitating sanctions evasion and actors from the DPRK and Iran aiding Russia’s military-industrial complex. Since March 2022, New Zealand has sanctioned over 2000 targets and continues to implement measures to counter Russia’s aggression.
Tags: Winston Peters Russia Ukraine New Zealand Kremlin DPRK Iran cybercrime sanctions Ministry of Foreign Affairs and TradeYouth Offending Rates Drop 25%: Positive Impact of Child and Youth Strategy Report
4 months ago | 674 viewsThe latest Annual Report on the Child and Youth Strategy highlights a significant reduction in youth offending, with serious and persistent offenders decreasing by 25 percent since June 2023, surpassing the original 2030 goal. Communities feel safer as young people make better choices, and there has also been a noted reduction in substantiated child abuse and neglect cases. Minister Karen Chhour praises the progress, thanks Oranga Tamariki staff, and emphasizes ongoing efforts to address generational issues and encourage reporting concerns to protect children.
Tags: Karen Chhour youth offending child and youth strategy Oranga Tamariki youth crime serious young offenders child abuse social workers Minister for Children Reports of ConcernNZ Customs Minister Casey Costello to Attend Global Fraud Summit in Europe
4 months ago | 774 viewsCustoms and Associate Police Minister Casey Costello will attend the Global Fraud Summit in Vienna to address the growing issue of fraud, which is a prevalent crime in New Zealand linked to international organized crime and money laundering. The summit, hosted by INTERPOL and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, emphasizes the need for international cooperation to combat transnational fraud. After the summit, Minister Costello will visit Geneva and London for meetings related to her Customs, Police, and Health responsibilities.
Tags: Casey Costello New Zealand INTERPOL UN Office on Drugs and Crime Global Fraud Summit London Vienna United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Red Cross Red CrescentViolent Crime Drops by 49,000 in NZ with Increased Police Patrols and Reforms
5 months ago | 1053 viewsSince the Government was elected, a tough on crime approach and nearly doubling police foot patrols have led to 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime in New Zealand by October 2025. Key reforms include tougher sentencing, enhanced police powers, and coordinated efforts to reduce youth reoffending, resulting in significant drops in serious youth offenses and ram raids. Despite this progress, the Government remains committed to further law and order improvements, including new legislation to address disorderly behavior and strengthen trespass laws.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Mark Mitchell Karen Chhour New Zealand violent crime Police Oranga Tamariki Crimes Amendment Bill Three Strikes youth offendingProceeds of Crime Fund 2026 Opens to Fight Violent Crime and Support NZ Safety
5 months ago | 870 viewsStarting 30 March 2026, New Zealand's Proceeds of Crime Fund will reopen to allocate seized criminal assets toward initiatives aimed at reducing violent crime and enhancing public safety. The fund prioritizes high-impact, outcome-focused programs that prevent lower-level offending, dismantle gang operations, and support community partnerships, with strict criteria and short-term investments up to three years. Recent funded projects include improved safety measures in Auckland’s CBD and community-led efforts like the Meke Academy, reflecting a commitment to redirect criminal proceeds to protect victims and prevent further crime.
Tags: Nicole McKee Proceeds of Crime Fund New Zealand violent crime organised crime gangs Meke Academy Ministry of Justice Auckland Hawke’s BayNew Zealand's AML/CFT 2026-2030 Strategy: Cutting Red Tape, Boosting Enforcement
5 months ago | 1059 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has released New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) National Strategy for 2026–2030, aiming to streamline compliance and strengthen enforcement against serious crime. The strategy emphasizes a risk-based approach to reduce unnecessary paperwork for low-risk transactions while enhancing focus on genuine risks, supported by a single AML/CFT supervisor under the Department of Internal Affairs from July 2024. This reform seeks to provide clearer guidance, reduce compliance costs, and deliver significant regulatory relief, building on previous efforts to simplify customer verification and improve the AML/CFT system.
Tags: Nicole McKee New Zealand Countering Financing of Terrorism Department of Internal Affairs Ministry of Justice regulatory reform financial crime national strategyNew Zealand and French Agencies Seize 4.24 Tonnes of Cocaine in Pacific Operation
6 months ago | 962 viewsNew Zealand agencies, including Customs, Defence Force, and GCSB, collaborated with French authorities and the US DEA to intercept 4.24 tonnes of cocaine in French Polynesia as part of Operation Kiwa. This operation is the first major success of the Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) Action Plan aimed at targeting maritime transnational crime networks in the Pacific. The campaign emphasizes international cooperation and enhanced intelligence and surveillance to protect New Zealand and its Pacific partners from organised crime.
Tags: Casey Costello New Zealand Customs Service New Zealand Defence Force Government Communications Security Bureau United States Drug Enforcement Agency French authorities Operation Kiwa Transnational Serious and Organised Crime French Polynesia New Zealand