Prime Ministers Open Letter to the Chinese Community

Dear Chinese friends in New Zealand

Theres been a lot of discussion recently around crime and safety in our communities.

Some people in our Chinese and other ethnic communities are telling us theyre scared and concerned
for their safety.

I would like to reassure you National remains as focused as ever on preventing crime and helping to
keep our communities safer.

Theres no doubt there has been a recent upturn in burglaries. Ive been burgled three or four times
before I became Prime Minister and I know what an invasive and disturbing experience this can be.

Thats why Im pleased to see Police making moves to put more focus on preventing and reducing
burglaries and capturing those responsible and holding them to account.

From 1 September, Police will raise the priority level of house burglaries to a priority offence so all
break-ins are attended by Police staff within a reasonable time frame.
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I also want to reassure you that despite the perception, and while there has been a recent upturn in
burglary, the crime rate is still at near historic lows.

Overall, crime is down by 16 per cent on five years ago thats more than 53,000 fewer crimes. And
violent crime is down 8 per cent and youth crime is down 38 per cent.
516%5.3
8% 38%

There is also no evidence in crime statistics to show Asian communities are being targeted. The 2013
census showed around 12 per cent of New Zealands population is of Asian ethnicity, whereas the
proportion of Asians who have been the victim of a crime is between 2 and 3 per cent.
2013
12%
2% - 3%
Police are working hard to address crime in ethnic communities and have special officers who work
closely with those communities to discuss any specific concerns.

While the ideal would be that no one in New Zealand is the victim of crime, unfortunately no country
in the world is crime free and New Zealand is no exception. However, in todays increasingly uncertain
world we are one of the safest countries in the world to live. A recent international survey rated us the
worlds fourth safest country out of 162 countries.

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We have heard peoples concerns though. Thats why recently I indicated we are looking at likely
increasing Police numbers even further. Since we came into Government, weve increased the number
of Police on the beat by 600.

600
Weve also increased frontline policing by half a million hours a year by investing in new technology
thats equivalent to around 350 more Police out and about protecting New Zealands communities.
50
350
This year we also gave a $300 million funding boost to support Police and the good work they do
preventing crime in our communities.
3

Were also cracking down on the perpetrators of crime. We introduced the three-strikes policy that
ensures the worst repeat criminals receive the maximum allowable sentence with no parole and have
toughened sentences for a range of other crimes.

People can do a lot to keep themselves and their families from becoming victims of crime. Together,
communities can become safer and more resilient by looking out for each other, getting to know each
other, and making sure they know where family members are.

I would also urge you to visit your local Police station if you are feeling unsafe or have been the victim
of a crime. They are there to help.

National cares a lot about law and order weve been investing heavily in that area and we will
continue to focus on it so we can help make our communities safer.

As Prime Minister, I strongly value the outstanding contribution of our Chinese communities.

Alongside my colleague Dr Jian Yang, we remain committed to making sure your voice is heard at
the highest levels of Government.

Wish you all the best

Rt Hon John Key

25 August 2016
2016825