Tougher sentences, more police, crack down on gangs
NZ First says it will hire at least 500 more frontline police within 18 months and double the number of Youth Aid officers. It wants tougher, longer prison sentences for violent and sexual offenders, and for people who assault police or corrections staff. It plans to put gang members in a separate prison, label gangs as terrorist organisations, and introduce a points-based system to deal with young offenders.
What they say they'll do
- Add at least 500 new frontline police within the first 18 months
- Double the number of Youth Aid officers
- Introduce mandatory minimum sentences for serious violent and sexual offenders
- Create a gang-only prison and designate gangs as terrorist organisations
- Introduce a Youth Justice Demerit Points system for young offenders
- Establish Mental Health Response Units for mental health crises in communities
Who this affects
Victims of violent or sexual crime
Sentencing law would be changed to focus first on the needs of victims and the community, and community sentence discounts would be removed for violent offenders considered a threat.
Police and corrections officers
Pay and conditions would be reviewed, mandatory minimum sentences would apply to anyone who assaults them, and corrections officers could be equipped with body cameras and protective equipment.
Young people who offend
A Youth Justice Demerit Points system would be introduced to create a structured accountability process for youth offenders.
Gang members in prison
Gang members in prison would be moved to a dedicated gang-only facility, separated from the general prison population.
General public
More frontline police and better-resourced community policing, including Māori and Pasifika wardens and Neighbourhood Watch, are proposed to improve community safety.
In their own words
“New Zealand First believes that keeping society safe should be the priority of law-and-order policies. Every New Zealander deserves to feel safe, secure, and have their person and property respected.”
“Designate Gangs as 'Terrorist Organisations' under the Terrorism Suppression Act.”
“Introduce a 'degrees of murder' regime that utilises 'life for life' for 1st Degree Murder.”
Summarised neutrally from NZ First’s own official policy (as at 2026-06-23) and checked by an editor — never paraphrased without the source linked, and never an endorsement. Read the original ↗ Arapono is non-partisan. Compare all parties on Crime & Justice →
Coverage at a glance
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Published position∅ No stated position (verified) Not captured yet