We need to crack down on crime.
New Zealanders have a basic right to feel safe in their homes, their businesses and their communities – but that’s not happening.
Since Labour took office, across the country we have seen retail crime double, gang membership go up by 66 per cent and violent crime increase by 33 per cent.
Just the other week, Ōpōtiki was forced to close down because of a gang funeral.
Northland has not been spared this. A young lady working in a blue-collar industry recently called me aside when I visited her workplace and, in tears, said, “Hey, you are that blue guy, aren’t you?” Followed by, “My car was stolen last night” - and she showed me the pictures. I felt a great sadness for her. She was working long hours, had an average car and now it had been stolen. She is on the minimum wage and is just trying to make her way in the world. This is not fair.