Crime and Punishment

In an election year, justice issues attract heightened scrutiny. Understanding how Aotearoa New Zealand measures, experiences and responds to crime—and what this means for victims, whānau and communities—is essential, as these trends affect all New Zealanders. The latest data presents a mixed picture, with some encouraging improvements alongside persistent areas of concern.

The New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS) conducted annually by the Ministry of Justice is the most comprehensive source of data on adult victims of crime in New Zealand. The survey captures incidents whether or not they are reported to the police, offering a more thorough picture of crime than police data alone. Cycle 7 of the NZCVS was released in 2025. Cycle 7 shows that 29.5 percent of adults—around 1.28 million people—experienced at least one offence in the past year, a decrease from 31.5 percent (1.34 million) in 2023. However, the total number of offences increased to 1.911 million, around 29,000 more incidents than the previous year. This indicates fewer victims overall, but those who are victimised are experiencing repeat victimisation more often.

NCVS Cycles 1–7 adults experiencing crime and the number of offences in the past 12 months—2018–2024 (thousands)

In 2024, the NZCVS estimated that 2.3 percent of adults (around 100,000 people) experienced family violence, breaking three years of stability and marking the highest rate since at least 2018. Intimate partner violence (IPV) accounted for 1.4 percent (approximately 61,000 individuals), with 0.9 percent involving other family or whānau members. While rates had declined steadily from 2.1 percent in 2020 to 1.6 percent in 2023, the increase in 2024 signals a concerning shift.

NZCVS percentage of adults experiencing at least one family violence offence—2020–2024

Percentage of prison population on remand as at June 30—2016–2025

The figure above shows the sustained rise in the proportion of prisoners held on remand over the past decade. Prisons were originally designed for a remand population of around 15 percent, yet this share has more than doubled, peaking at 44 percent in 2023 before easing to 41.3 percent in 2025. From 2024, remand data is split into remand accused (those held before conviction) and remand convicted (those found guilty or who have pled guilty but are awaiting sentencing). In 2025, 25.9 percent of the prison population were remand accused and 15.4 percent were remand convicted, indicating that both pre‑trial and post‑conviction delays are contributing to the elevated remand levels. These trends reflect a combination of factors, including legislative changes such as the reverse onus for bail, strengthened enforcement through electronic monitoring and improved data capture, and longer court timeframes that increase opportunities for bail breaches. Although more than 80 percent of people charged with imprisonable offences are released on bail, the growing remand population highlights a delicate balance between public safety and system pressures, as prolonged periods on remand can disrupt employment, housing and family connections, compounding social and economic harm for those awaiting trial or sentencing.

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Data: Interactive Dashboard

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