Move the mouse over the lines on the graph to see the custodial sentence figures. Click on a crime in the key to remove that line from the graph; click on the crime again to restore it.
This graph shows average custodial sentences, in days, for different violent crimes between 1980 and 2023. Average sentences for homicide and related offences (murder, attempted murder, manslaughter) peaked at 5,858 days in 2015. Average sentences for sexual assault, abduction and kidnapping, acts intended to cause injury and robbery have increased gradually or remained fairly stable.
Note: Caveats and notes about the graph data are included in the attached data file.
Using this item
Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Source: Ministry of Justice
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