Reduced violent crime

In 2024, the Government set nine targets to improve the lives of New Zealanders. Government Target 4 aims to reduce the number of people who are victims of assault, robbery or sexual assault by 20,000 by December 2029. The Target 4 factsheet contains information on the target: Factsheet - Target 4 - Reduced violent crime.(external link)

Target 4 is closely linked with Government Target 3: Reduced Child and Youth Offending, and the two targets are referred to as the Law and Order Targets. The lead government agency for Target 3 is Oranga Tamariki, and further information can be found on their website: Reducing child and youth offences | Oranga Tamariki — Ministry for Children(external link)

Target 4: Reduced Violent Crime Delivery Plan 

To support the achievement of Target 4, a Reduced Violent Crime Delivery Plan [PDF, 1.1 MB] has been developed. This plan covers over 50 actions from multiple agencies and has three focus areas:

  1. Increasing the chance of being caught and held to account
  2. Targeting intervention to where it is needed most
  3. Breaking the cycle of violence for repeat offenders and victims. 

The sector has made significant progress across these focus areas, including:

Focus Area 1: Increase the chance of being caught and held to account:
  • Disrupting gang activity. The Police National Gang Unit is now fully staffed, and the Gang Disruption Plan is being operationalised. Since November 2024, Police have seized 172 gang patches, 163 firearms, and laid 728 insignia charges.
Focus Area 2: Target intervention to where it is needed most:
  • Protecting retail businesses. Between September 2022 and September 2025, 1,135 stores affected by ram raids or aggravated robberies had security installations completed, with a total of 4,506 security measures installed to date.
  • Supporting young people. The Military Style Academy Pilot is complete, including its final evaluation report. Oranga Tamariki Intensive Case Management Teams are now operating in Hamilton, Rotorua, and Christchurch. Fast Track has expanded for 14–17-year-olds across six sites.
Focus Area 3: Break the cycle of violence for repeat offenders and victims.
  • Expanding mental health and addiction support. Additional beds are now available at the new Waikeria Corrections Facility. Alcohol and other drug interventions for the remand population have been introduced at three additional prison sites.

A refreshed Target 4 delivery plan is currently under development, and quarterly reporting continues to track progress.

We are always open to new ideas and new ways of thinking. If you have something to share, whether an idea or research, please email us at:  sectordirectorate@justice.govt.nz

Quarterly reports

The quarterly report summary gives an update on the progress made in each target area.

Funding through the Proceeds of Crime Fund

Public and non-public service departments can apply to the Proceeds of Crime Fund seeking funding to provide a range of targeted interventions that reduce violent crime, directly supporting Government Target 4.

Round One of 2025 is now closed for applications.

See this page for a detailed overview of the Fund, including information on submission timelines.

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