Ram raids, gang wars, random attacks, school lockdowns, domestic violence – the news cycle has been endless, and it has rarely painted Government crime policies in good light. 

The National Party has put it top of the agenda ahead of the 2023 election, promising to punish youth offenders and hitting out at Labour’s crime policies as ‘kumbaya’. 

The man in charge of that for the Government is Police Minister Chris Hipkins, who was appointed to the portfolio back in June when ram raids were at their peak. 

Today, Damien is joined by the minister to discuss what he’s witnessed over the last five months, Labour’s policies versus National’s, and what government statistics show about the extent of crime in New Zealand.  

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Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills