Arapono
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Now law (in force June 2025)

Three Strikes sentencing legislation

Reinstates the “three strikes” sentencing regime that the previous government repealed in 2022, with changes intended to make it more workable. Led by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith, it was a law-and-order commitment of the National-led coalition and a long-standing ACT policy. It sets escalating, harsher consequences for people repeatedly convicted of serious violent and sexual offending.

Its journey through Parliament

25 Jun 2024
Introduced and passed its first reading
17 Dec 2024
Receives royal assent
17 Jun 2025
The three-strikes regime comes into force

What it does

Applies to 42 serious violent and sexual offences, including new strangulation and suffocation offences.
First strike: the offender is formally warned of the consequences of re-offending.
Second strike: the sentence is served without parole.
Third strike: the maximum penalty for the offence, without parole — with a narrow exception where a court finds that would be manifestly unjust.
Warnings from the earlier three-strikes regime carry over where they meet the new threshold.

Why it defined this election

A flagship law-and-order policy that the parties take clearly different positions on — a dividing line between deterrence and rehabilitation.

Public response

The government argued the regime delivers justice for victims — noting Māori make up a large share of violent-crime victims. Opposition parties and many legal and academic submitters argued three-strikes laws do not reduce crime and fall disproportionately on Māori, who are over-represented in the justice system.

Who championed it

National-led government (National, ACT, NZ First); Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith.

Where it landed

Now law — the reinstated regime has applied to qualifying offences since 17 June 2025.

Where the parties stand on crime & justice Verify at the official source — legislation.govt.nz

Sources

Ministry of Justice — Three strikes law Beehive — Three Strikes Bill passes third reading NZ Legislation — Reinstating Three Strikes

Neutral summary, January 2026 knowledge cut-off — confirm any later changes at the official source. Arapono does not take a side.