New Zealand First has unveiled a law and order policy package proposing life imprisonment without parole for first degree murder, tougher sentences for violent and sexual offenders, and a dedicated agency to tackle organised crime.

The package would also abolish the Serious Fraud Office, replacing it with a specialised division within Police, and introduce a system for the state to pay immediate reparation to victims before recovering the money from offenders.

In its announcement, the party said victims should be prioritised in the justice system.

“We believe that for the most serious crimes of first-degree murder and rape or murder of a child, life means life – with no chance of parole.”

A proposed three tier murder regime would carry life imprisonment without parole for first degree murder and a minimum non-parole period of 30 years for second degree murder.

The party described third degree murder as “pre-meditated”, carrying life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years.

However, the announcement also stated the regime would increase the minimum non-parole period for murder from 10 to 20 years, leaving an inconsistency with the proposed third degree category. It did not explain how offences would be assigned to each degree.

NZ First proposed increasing sentences for attempted murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to 25 years, alongside greater use of mandatory minimum sentences for serious violent and sexual offenders.

Sentence discounts for factors other than a guilty plea would be capped at 10 per cent, while guilty plea discounts would remain limited to 25 per cent under the policy.

The party would raise standard parole eligibility to 75 per cent of a sentence for long term offenders. People convicted of murder would have to be assessed as having a low probability of reoffending before release.

Fatal “coward punch” attacks would attract a mandatory minimum non-parole period of eight years.

The proposed organised crime agency would have a responsible minister and focus on dismantling transnational criminal networks. NZ First also pledged to ensure Police had the resources to do their job, although the announcement did not specify funding or additional staffing.

The package included changes to self-defence laws and prosecution practices for people attacked or confronted in their homes or businesses.

NZ First would investigate introducing “Castle Doctrine” and “Stand Your Ground” laws, which it said would give people confidence to defend themselves and their property without a duty to retreat.

It also proposed changing Police guidelines so a person who “excessively defends” themselves or someone else in their home or business would be treated as a victim unless overwhelming evidence indicated otherwise.

Any proposed prosecution in those circumstances would require review and endorsement by the Solicitor-General, including confirmation it was in the public interest and considered likely to result in a conviction.

Burglary of a home or private dwelling would be treated in the same way as aggravated burglary or home invasion under the package.

Other proposals included requiring District Courts to proactively publish sentencing notes within 72 hours, limiting final name suppression to extreme cases, and opposing any further extension of clean slate legislation.

The party would also review transport penalties, including the balance between fines and demerit points, and whether offences should be dealt with through infringements or court appearances.