Crackdown on dangerous ‘coward punches’
Monday, 30 June 2025
The Government has announced new offences for “coward punches”, promising sentences that will reflect “the gravity of the crime”.
The new laws, announced by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith in Auckland on Monday afternoon, create a specific criminal offence for “coward punches” that cause injury or death.
“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.
“We know how dangerous they are. People can be killed or suffer lifelong brain injuries, yet perpetrators often receive lenient and insufficient sentences,” Goldsmith said.
Where once this kind of assault would be referred to as a “king hit”, they are increasingly becoming known as “coward punches” to reflect the cowardice of a sudden, unprovoked single punch to a person’s head or neck.
UFC star Israel Adesanya has been among the prominent voices calling for the change, after his training partner, Fau Vake, was killed in 2021 when he was punched in the head during an altercation in central Auckland.
The family of 21-year-old Luke Smith who died after being punched once by former amateur boxer Siale Siale have also warned of the devastating impacts a split-second decision can have.
Siale was sentenced at two years and three months’ imprisonment having pleaded guilty to one charge of manslaughter in relation to Smith’s death.
The sentence, Smith’s mother previously told The Post, didn’t even begin to scratch the surface of their loss.
“It’s like my son’s life didn’t matter. I think the sentencing sends the wrong message to the public, that anyone can do this and only get two years in jail. We desperately hope that New Zealand can be a better and safer place for us all, especially our youth,” Natasha Smith said.
The charges and penalties are:
An assault offence for one punch attacks which cause grievous bodily harm with associated maximum penalties of:
Eight years’ imprisonment when the offender intended to cause injury or acted with reckless disregard for safety, 15 years’ imprisonment when the offender intended to cause grievous bodily harm.
A culpable homicide offence for a one punch attack which results in death with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The new offences form part of the National/New Zealand First coalition agreement to introduce legislation to create a specific offence for anyone who injures or kills someone with a coward punch.
“Specific offences will ensure the consequence reflects the gravity of the crime.
“It builds on our plan to restore law and order, which we know is working, and will help reduce the number of victims of violent crime.”
Speaking to media after the announcement, Goldsmith said the new laws would send a “clear message from Parliament to the courts and society as a whole that this is something that we won’t tolerate”.
He said the new laws marked a change from Labour’s “cuddly” approach to crime.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters stood alongside Goldsmith for the announcement, adding: “We’re on the side of the victim, not the offender”.
“The victim has no notice, and because of that the chances of them defending themselves is impossible. We want to spell out how unacceptable it is,” Peters said.
Peters said he had first tried to introduce the legislation in 2020, when he was in government with Labour, but 'couldn't get the numbers'.
Paulo Garcia, a National MP, sought to introduce a members bill on the issue in January, but Goldsmith said it would now progress as a government bill.
Both new offences will be added to the Three Strikes Regime, Goldsmith said. The hope is that they are introduced to Parliament before the end of the year.