Violent crime in New Zealand has risen in the past year, despite the Government's focus on law and order.
Annual crime statistics released on Thursday show recorded crime rose 4.6% last year, with violent crime increasing 9.2%.
Assistant police commissioner Grant Nicholls says police are disappointed about the rise in reported crime, but it is misleading to say government initiatives to crack down on crime are not working.
There were 451,405 recorded offences in 2009, an increase of just over 20,000 from the previous year when 431,383 offences were recorded.
Mr Nicholls says the police resolution rate has increased to 47.8%, with police resolving 14,199 more offences in 2009 (215,618) than in 2008 (201,419).
However, he says violent offending continues to be a concern, increasing 9.2% to 65,465 offences.
"There's been some good initiatives launched in Counties-Manukau in the later part of the year and I think that's going to bear fruit for that district. Bay of Plenty district has set some challenges, which they're addressing.
"It's a mixed bag across the country but there's a common theme - that family violence is driving the violence statistics."
Alcohol and drugs fuelling violence - minister
Police Minister Judith Collins says the statistics reflect the problems New Zealand has with domestic violence, drinking and drugs.
Ms Collins says that in the 18 months she has been minister, she has been shocked at the level of violent and anti-social behaviour in New Zealand society.
"What's got to fundamentally change is that people have to stop beating each other up in their own homes. But at the same time, we have to accept that the abuse of alcohol is a major driver of crime, as are other drugs - in particular methamphetamine."
She says government initiatives to tackle crime were only introduced at the end of last year - too late to make an impact on the latest statistics.
Prime Minister John Key says the Government has carried out the most extensive anti-crime campaign in New Zealand's history, and measures such as the introduction of tasers, strengthening anti-drug laws and bringing in more police officers will eventually show results.
Counties-Manukau 'still positive'
The police district commander for Counties-Manukau says he remains positive about the effectiveness of policing in the community despite the 9% increase in recorded crime.
Superintendent Mike Bush says the increase in total crime for 2009 is largely accounted for by a 15% rise in complaints about family violence and a 14% rise in drugs and anti-social offences.
Disorder offending rose by almost 8%.
Mr Bush says the police made a positive impact on crime during the last six months of last year.
He says the police remain concerned about the increase in family violence cases.
