- Hon Nicole McKee
Money seized from criminals will fund nine initiatives to reduce violence, prevent reoffending, and disrupt the drug trade, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
"Criminals profit from other people's misery. We are taking that money off them and putting it to work protecting New Zealanders," says Mrs McKee.
"The Proceeds of Crime Fund has allocated $14.587 million to initiatives focused on fewer victims and safer communities.
"That means intervening before young people's offending escalates, helping victims escape violence, and giving Customs better tools to stop drugs at the border.
"New Zealanders expect money taken from criminals to deliver results. Following our refocus of the Fund, these investments must directly contribute to reducing violent crime.
"We have already exceeded the Government's target of 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by December 2029, but we want to go even further."
The nine funded initiatives are:
- Positive Pathways - Youth Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programme: $2.007 million. Kura Cares Charity will expand support for high-needs young people in Auckland and Wellington to reduce offending and support rehabilitation.
- Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust - Ruapehu Rangatahi Hub: $1.971 million. Early intervention and coordinated support for young people at risk of offending.
- Waipuna Youth Reoffending Reduction Programme: $2.064 million. St John of God will support 40 high-needs young people in Canterbury through mentoring, outdoor learning, and pathways into education and employment.
- PIVOT: Bail to Belonging: $1.535 million. Pivot Support Services will establish bail accommodation in Tauranga and strengthen its Hamilton service, helping reduce reoffending and address remand caused solely by the lack of a suitable bail address.
- Te Whare o Tapatahi - Taranaki Violence Prevention and Homelessness Response Initiative: $2.959 million. YMCA Taranaki will expand targeted violence prevention and crisis support through its existing homeless shelter.
- Preventing Technology Facilitated Sexual Exploitation and Violence Among Young New Zealanders: $1.2 million. Netsafe will deliver prevention, victim support, and early intervention to address online exploitation, extortion, and violence.
- Customs handheld X-ray devices: $547,000. New equipment will help officers detect concealed drugs during on-site inspections of freight and small consignments.
- Customs substance identification equipment: $308,000. A replacement spectrometer and drug monitoring projects will strengthen detection and responses to emerging drug threats.
- Removing Barriers to Safety: Pet Inclusive Family Violence Prevention: $2 million. This previously announced funding supports Pet Refuge's work helping victims escape family violence without leaving their pets behind.
Notes to editors:
- The funding round received 43 eligible proposals seeking more than $160 million.
- Established in 2009 and administered by the Ministry of Justice since April 2019, the Proceeds of Crime Fund uses money recovered under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 to support targeted initiatives that reduce violent crime.
