National is accusing Labour of downplaying an increase in violent crime.
Figures issued on Wednesday revealed an 11% rise in violent offences nationally and a 18.9% increase in South Auckland alone.
Police Minister Annette King is adamant the increase is primarily down to more people actually reporting family violence.
National's justice spokesperson Simon Power told Morning Report any rise reporting such crime is welcome, but he did not accept the increase is purely driven by domestic incidents.
