NZ Police Commissioner Told to Stop Gangs From Taking Over ‘Towns, Public Roads’

‘Gangs have become more violent and more present in our communities ... this needs to stop,’ NZ Police Minister Mark Mitchell wrote to the commissioner.

NZ Police Commissioner Andrew Coster speaks to media during a press conference at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, on April 23, 2020. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

New Zealand’s new police minister, Mark Mitchell, has written to the Commissioner of Police Andrew Coster setting out the National-led government’s “expectations” in an attempt to ensure a tougher line against crime—a key policy plank for all three coalition parties: National, ACT, and NZ First.

While convention forbids ministers from interfering in “operational matters,” there is a provision in the Policing Act 2008 allowing them to expect the commissioner to deliver on the government’s direction and priorities.