New Zealand UFC star Israel Adesanya posts support for ‘coward punch’ members bill

Kiwi UFC star Israel Adesanya has posted a video supporting a new members’ bill that would criminalise the specific act of “coward punches”.

The bill, introduced by New Lynn MP Paulo Garcia, would amend the Crimes Act to specifically criminalise strikes to the head or neck delivered in situations where the victim is unable to defend themselves.

The bill would also amend the definition of murder in the Crimes Act to if a person were to die from the specific act of “coward punches”.

In a video posted today on Instagram, Adesanya said New Zealanders should rally their support behind the bill to ensure the punishment fits the crime when it came to the “cowardly act”.

“So these guys can’t get off in six months after committing a heinous crime that could kill someone,” he said.

“Let’s eliminate this from our culture because this is not us.”

Adesanya’s training partner Fau Vake was killed in June 2021 after being punched in the head during an altercation in Central Auckland.

Daniel Havili was sentenced to two years and six months in prison in 2022 on the charge of manslaughter.

Walk Without Fear, a trust of which Adesanya is a patron, said the bill was long overdue and necessary to close a glaring gap in New Zealand’s justice system.

Trust chairman Eugene Bareman said the bill would send a clear message that such reprehensible acts would not be tolerated in our society.

“We owe it to the victims and their families to ensure that justice is served and that such acts are met with appropriate consequences.”

National MP Garcia said the Crimes Act did not currently include any provision that specifies how to charge an individual who causes serious harm or death as a result of a coward punch.

“This has led to several prominent cases where violent criminals receive lenient and non-sufficient sentences as a result of the Crown’s inability to prove intention,” he said.

“Similar bills were passed in Australian states over 10 years ago which have worked to disincentivise reckless assault and punish those violent criminals who set out to destroy lives and livelihoods.

“This change will help New Zealanders feel safer and ensure those who coward punch are properly held to account. I will be working across the House to gather the support necessary to have this passed into law.”

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