The Government's controversial three-strikes-and-you're-out sentencing legislation has become law.
The Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill means offenders will automatically receive the maximum sentence for a third serious violent or sexual offence with no chance of parole.
The bill - initiated by the ACT Party - passed its third and final reading in Parliament by 63 votes 58 on Tuesday.
The new regime will apply to 40 serious violent offences that are punishable by a maximum of seven years' imprisonment or more. It will not be retrospective.
Corrections Minister Judith Collins says the bill upholds the National Party's election pledge to remove eligibility for parole for the worst repeat violent offenders.
"This bill sends a clear message to those offenders who think it is okay to use violence to get what they want, that their behaviour will no longer be tolerated.
If they continue to commit serious violent crime despite being warned of the consequences, they can look forward to being locked up for a long time."
The bill was opposed by the Labour, Green and Maori parties, which say there is no evidence it will reduce violent crime or re-offending rates.
