Under the new regime, offenders who commit qualifying offences will face escalating consequences
The Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill has passed its third reading in parliament.
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee highlighted the importance of the legislation, emphasising its role in protecting public safety and holding repeat offenders accountable.
“Reinstating the Three Strikes regime will help keep New Zealanders safer while sending a strong message to those who keep committing these serious crimes that they will face increasingly serious consequences,” McKee said.
Under the new regime, offenders who commit qualifying offences will face escalating consequences. On a first strike, they will receive a formal warning about the repercussions of reoffending. For a second strike, offenders will not be eligible for parole. A third strike mandates serving the maximum penalty without parole. The law ensures that previous strike warnings from the earlier regime will carry over if they meet the new qualifying sentence thresholds, providing consistent treatment for serious offending.
McKee explained that the legislation carefully balances the expansion of the Three Strikes regime with the need to target the most serious offences effectively. She noted that the bill incorporates updates to strengthen its application, including adding new offences such as strangulation and suffocation, which bring the list of covered offences to 42. Non-parole periods for murder convictions are now set at 17 years for second strikes and 20 years for third strikes. Judicial discretion has been included to address cases where mandatory consequences could lead to manifestly unjust outcomes, ensuring flexibility in exceptional circumstances.
The bill also provides principles and guidance to assist courts in applying the new law. A provision to offer a limited benefit for guilty pleas aims to minimise delays in the justice system and reduce the trauma faced by victims. In a statement, McKee emphasised that these updates reflect public feedback and align with broader government initiatives to restore law and order, including crackdowns on gang activity and limits on sentencing discounts.
The legislation includes a six-month implementation period following Royal Assent to allow for necessary operational changes before the Three Strikes regime comes into effect. McKee expressed confidence that the bill would enhance public safety while delivering a clear message of accountability to violent offenders.
