New Zealand’s National Party announced Sunday, May 17, 2026, that it will scrap “good character” sentencing discounts for sexual offenders, a policy shift aimed at toughening penalties and removing judicial consideration of an offender’s reputation. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith framed the move as a response to systemic failures in protecting victims.
National Party Proposes End to ‘Good Character’ Mitigation for Sex Offenders
New Zealand’s Justice Minister, Paul Goldsmith, has outlined plans to eliminate the use of “good character” as a mitigating factor in sentencing for sexual offenders, marking a significant overhaul of the country’s legal approach to such crimes. The proposed change, announced Sunday, would prohibit judges from weighing testimony about an offender’s past conduct—such as references from employers, coaches, or family members—when determining penalties.
The reform targets a long-standing legal practice where judges have historically considered an offender’s character as a potential reason to reduce sentences. Goldsmith argued that this approach unfairly prioritizes the perpetrator’s reputation over the needs of victims.
“As the law is written today, judges are required to take into account testimony from individuals willing to speak to an offender’s character—former coaches, employers, and family members willing to state on the record that any offending is the exception, not the rule,” Goldsmith said. “Those assessments could benefit ‘well-connected’ offenders, while doing little for victims.”
Paul Goldsmith, Justice Minister, New Zealand
The move comes as part of broader efforts by the National Party to strengthen penalties for sexual violence offenses. In recent years, New Zealand has faced criticism over sentencing disparities and the perceived leniency in cases involving high-profile offenders. Goldsmith’s announcement builds on earlier legislative changes, including a 2025 cap on judicial sentencing discounts—limiting reductions to a maximum of 40%—and the criminalization of stalking with mandatory jail terms.
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Why the Policy Shift Matters
The proposed elimination of “good character” mitigation reflects growing public and political pressure to address what critics describe as a systemic bias in favor of offenders with influential connections. Under current law, judges must consider an offender’s character when determining sentences, a practice that has drawn scrutiny for potentially allowing wealthy or well-connected individuals to receive lighter penalties.
Goldsmith’s proposal aligns with broader reforms aimed at ensuring victims have greater influence over sentencing outcomes. The Justice Minister emphasized that the consequences for victims should not be overshadowed by an offender’s past reputation.
“The consequences for the victim remain, regardless of the former reputation of the perpetrator. This builds on our previous work to limit the discounts judges can apply at sentencing to 40%, giving sexual violence victims the power to determine whether their perpetrators receive permanent name suppression and making stalking illegal and a jailable offense.”
Paul Goldsmith, Justice Minister, New Zealand
The reform also signals a shift in how New Zealand approaches victim advocacy within the criminal justice system. While the proposal has not yet been legislated, its introduction follows a period of heightened debate over sentencing fairness and the treatment of sexual violence cases.
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Reaction and Next Steps
Advocacy groups for victims of sexual violence have largely welcomed the proposed change, framing it as a necessary step toward holding offenders accountable. However, legal experts have raised concerns about the potential unintended consequences, including the risk of judges relying on other subjective factors to determine sentences.
Goldsmith’s announcement comes as New Zealand continues to grapple with high rates of sexual violence, with recent statistics indicating that reports of such crimes have risen in recent years. The proposed legislation, if passed, would mark a significant departure from traditional sentencing practices and could set a precedent for other jurisdictions facing similar challenges.
While the exact timeline for the legislation’s passage remains unclear, Goldsmith indicated that the government is prioritizing its implementation. The next steps will involve consultations with legal professionals, victim advocacy groups, and opposition parties to refine the proposal before it is introduced to Parliament.
For now, the focus remains on the broader implications of the reform, particularly its potential to reshape how sexual offenders are treated within New Zealand’s legal system.
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Broader Context: New Zealand’s Sentencing Reforms
This latest proposal is part of a broader pattern of legislative changes aimed at addressing gaps in New Zealand’s criminal justice system. In 2025, the government introduced stricter sentencing guidelines for violent offenses, including mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders. The move was framed as a response to public dissatisfaction with perceived leniency in high-profile cases.
Critics of the current system argue that the emphasis on an offender’s character has allowed some individuals to avoid accountability, particularly when their past conduct includes influential references. Supporters of the reform, including victim advocacy organizations, have long called for a system that prioritizes the needs of survivors over the reputational concerns of offenders.
As the debate continues, the proposed elimination of “good character” mitigation underscores a growing consensus that the criminal justice system must evolve to better serve victims of sexual violence.
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Sources: 1news.co.nz (May 17, The proposed reform may help address the longstanding issue of offenders' past misconduct influencing the severity of their sentences, potentially leading to more just outcomes for survivors of sexual violence.
