The number of murders committed in New Zealand rose by 20% last year.
Figures issued on Friday by police headquarters show that 65 murders were dealt with in the year to June, up from 54 the previous year.
The increase is attributed to a dozen unrelated murders in August 2009.
Overall crime was down 1.3% per 10,000 people in the financial year.
The number of offences recorded was 580 fewer than the year before and 523 more crimes were solved.
Police say a rise in violent crime of 3.3% is entirely a result in a rise in family violence.
Sexual offences rose 2.7%, while drug crime was up 1.8%.
Robbery, burglary and theft offences all fell slightly.
