Crime in New Zealand

Crime in New Zealand is of strong interest to the public due to concerns for personal safety and security of property. The media regularly reports only certain types of crimes and this may give a skewed perception to the public.

History

• Criminal Code, 1893
• Crimes Act 1961

In July 2009 Sian Elias, the Chief Justice defied convention and caused controversy with her speech for the annual Shirley Smith address to the Wellington District Law Society, arguing against what she described as the "punitive and knee-jerk" attitude towards the criminal justice system.^[1] In response, Minister of Justice Simon Power said "The Government is elected to set sentencing policy. Judges are appointed to apply it." Sensible Sentencing Trust's Garth McVicar stated Elias should resign because of her stance^[2] but academics and lawyers lent support to the points raised in her speech.

Crime statistics

According to the 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, New Zealand is the least corrupt nation in the world.^[3]

Law enforcement

• Crimes Act 1961
• Crimes (Repeal of Seditious Offences) Amendment Act 2007
• Summary Offences Act 1981
• Land Transport Act 1998
• Misuse of Drugs Act 1975

Police force

Main article: New Zealand Police

The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal and traffic law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand.

Notable criminals

See also: Category:New Zealand criminals

Some of the notable criminals in New Zealand include:

• Minnie Dean, found guilty of infanticide and was the only woman to be hanged in New Zealand
• Peter Hugh McGregor Ellis
• Stanley Graham
• David Gray, responsible for the Aramoana massacre
• Jules Mikus
• Hamiora Pere, the only New Zealander ever to be executed for treason
• Bert Potter, the former spiritual leader of the Centrepoint commune
• Scott Watson
• Simon Allan Kerr, career criminal, and leader of 1980's infamous "Hole in the wall gang"
• Marty Johnstone, Mr. Asia

Notable crimes

• The Völkner Incident (1865)
• The Maungatapu murders (1866)
• The Parker–Hulme murder (1954)
• The Bassett Road machine gun murders (1963)
• The Harvey and Jeanette Crewe murders (1970)
• The case involving the rape of Louise Nicholas (crime in 1984, case heard in 2006)
• Murder of Urban Höglin and Heidi Paakkonen (1989)
• Aramoana massacre (1990)
• The Bain family murders, of which David Bain was initially accused (1995)
• The murders of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope (1997/98)
• Chris and Cru Kahui murders (2006)
• Murder of Liam Ashley (2006)
• Wainuiomata Mākutu Lifting (2007)
• Nia Glassie abuse case (2007)
• Murder of Sophie Elliott (2008)
• Murder of Mallory Manning (2008)

Terrorism

Main article: Terrorism in New Zealand

Terrorism in New Zealand is relatively uncommon, although a small number of cases exist.

Crime related organisations

• Howard League for Penal Reform Canterbury
• Sensible Sentencing Trust
• Neighbourhood Support

See also

• Corruption in New Zealand
• Gangs in New Zealand
• List of correctional facilities in New Zealand
• List of countries by incarceration rate

References

1. ^ Dame Sian Elias (9 July 2009). "Blameless Babes – Address to the Wellington District Law Society". http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/document/pdf/Chief%20Justice%27s%20jails%20speech.pdf. 
2. ^ "Call for chief justice to resign". The Dominion Post. 17 July 2009. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2601308/Call-for-chief-justice-to-resign. 
3. ^ "Somalia most corrupt in world". http://www.havocscope.com/somalia-most-corrupt-in-world/. 

Further reading

• Newbold, Greg (2000). Crime in New Zealand. New Plymouth NZ: Dunmore Press. ISBN 0864693486. 

External links

• New Zealand Police
• Statistics New Zealand – Crime in New Zealand page
• New Zealand Criminal Markets