New Zealand First has criticised changes to proposed “coward punch” legislation after a select committee report removed mandatory minimum sentencing provisions, arguing the reforms now fail to address what it sees as lenient penalties for serious assaults.
The party said the bill had been reduced to little more than a new offence carrying existing maximum penalties, describing it as “window dressing” and expressing frustration over what it called an oversight during drafting.
State-funded media reported NZ First also claimed commitments to introduce mandatory prison sentences for assaults on emergency responders had not been fulfilled and signalled it would pursue amendments when the bill returns to Parliament.
Meanwhile, officials and submitters warned the proposed offence could complicate homicide law, create legal uncertainty, and potentially make convictions more difficult, with concerns that mandatory minimum sentences would require significant further policy work and consultation.
Image credit: Fellipe Ditadi
Only in our nanny state.
“He who dares wins!”
“Thru deception thou shalt make war”.
“Landing the first punch assures victory”.
Basically, if you know someone has a knife, pistol, etc. and has no yet reached for it, maybe a King Punch is a quick alternative to disabling your attacker!
At least there won’t be a ‘weapons charge’ brought against you…
However, if the attacker dies, then this is considered to be justifiable homicide IF known concealed weapons are found on the attacker post-punch, or the attacker started to reach for their concealed weapon!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeguEn4ihuQ
Why have courts and judges if they are going to impose mandatory minimum sentences? Might look like a good idea but its another of those things that’s “slow creep”. Before you know it there will be mandatory minimum sentences for so called hate speech crimes.
As for NZF this comes across as performative, to me. If you are serious about crime get National to remove the immigration aspects from the India so called trade deal. Its a nation with through the roof rape and other violent crimes, particularly against women. I’ll add too, there should be clauses in immigration policies for no nonsense deportations and stripping of residency for violent or heinous crimes.