Serious Response to Serious Problems

July 03, 2025

As New Zealand has positively responded to the crack down on gang patches there has been a growing recognition of the influence of organized crime on our communities.

New Zealand First continues to be focused on all aspects that undermine the safety and security in our neighbourhoods, businesses, and homes.
This of course prioritizes the public facing activity, cops walking the beat, gang disruption units, serious youth offending response, reducing family harm and capacity to deal with violent crime in our streets.
But in behind are the insidious drivers of crime generated by the transnational and serious organized criminal network. To put this in perspective these are criminal businesses, trading in misery for profit.
Whether it is drugs, firearms, money laundering or even trading in people, these criminal enterprises will take any opportunity to profit with total disregard for human cost.
Driving a national response to organized crime, both transnational and locally controlled, is a priority for New Zealand First.
Establishing a ministerial advisory group has enabled us to bring in specialists to optimize every opportunity to disrupt, disempower and prosecute all those who commit or profit from organized crime.
Many New Zealanders can thankfully live without any direct connection or impact, but the reality is frighteningly different, particularly in our most vulnerable communities.
As a former Police officer and in my work combatting exploitation, I know only too well that New Zealand can do more to be the safest place in the world to live, visit and do business.

With a single border, justice system, Police service and legislature, New Zealand should be a world leader in responding to organized crime. The Ministerial Advisory Group is the first step to bringing all the relevant agencies and powers together to implement a targeted response to protect Kiwis and our communities.

back to main page newsletter oped