The Government has announced new coward punch offences to ensure harsher penalties for attackers who strike unsuspecting victims with a single blow, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said.

“A ‘coward punch’ gets its name for obvious reasons. These attacks affect everyday Kiwis and are often committed by cowardly attackers, who strike when the victim is distracted,” Goldsmith said.

“We know how dangerous they are. People can be killed or suffer lifelong brain injuries, yet perpetrators often receive lenient and insufficient sentences.”

The move delivers on a commitment in the National and New Zealand First coalition agreement to create specific charges for people who injure or kill someone with a coward punch.

“Specific offences will ensure the consequence reflects the gravity of the crime,” Goldsmith said.

The new laws include:

• An assault charge for one-punch attacks causing grievous bodily harm, with penalties of up to eight years’ prison for intent to injure or reckless disregard, and up to 15 years’ prison for intent to cause grievous bodily harm

• A new culpable homicide offence for coward punches that result in death, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment

Both offences will be included under the Three Strikes Regime, meaning repeat offenders face increased penalties.

Goldsmith said the changes are part of the Government’s broader law and order agenda aimed at reducing violent crime and better supporting victims.