2020 election: Winston Peters wants ‘cowards’ to throw locked punches

New Zealand First promises that the introduction of a “cowardly punch” law will be a top priority in any post-election deal with other political parties.

And, speaking to Newstalk ZB this morning, NZ First leader Winston Peters revealed that he thought Labor is much more likely to form a government after the election than the national one.

“I can see the result of this election right now: the National Party and the Act Party are miles away from doing it; it’s simple math.”

His comments came before he revealed his party’s public order policy, where Peters said his party’s policy would put victims first.

NZ First would push for the training of 1,000 new police officers and for a law that aims to protect first responders from assault while on the job.

The latest policy is one that NZ First tried to pass in the previous term of government, but, despite being introduced in early 2018, it still languishes in a select committee and is nowhere near becoming law.

“Creating ‘safer Kiwi communities’ can only happen with strong and balanced justice and correctional systems,” Peters told the media today.

He made the announcement in front of an Auckland central police station.

“These policies announced today will go a long way in ensuring that the fundamental focus of our justice and correctional systems is the utmost safety and security of our communities.”

The policy to recruit another 1,000 new frontline police officers was published in the NZ First Policy Manifesto last week.

But today was the first time Peters has spoken about his party’s plans to introduce a “cowardly coup” law, a law he said would reduce “ruthless acts of violence.”

A cowardly punch, according to Peters, is when someone is caught with a blow usually from behind, also called a “suction cup punch.”

He said there were an “alarming” number of such blows.
“[The law] it would ensure stiffer penalties for those found guilty of the crime. “

This includes a mandatory six-month prison sentence for anyone who throws a cowardly punch and causes injury and a mandatory eight-year prison sentence for anyone who kills someone using this method of assault.

Peters also wants to introduce what he has called “murder rates legislation,” whereby those who commit the most violent and premeditated crimes would face harsher sentences.

“The highest degree of murder will carry a minimum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.”

The only person in New Zealand’s legal history to receive a life sentence without parole is convicted mass murderer and terrorist, Brenton Tarrant, who murdered 51 people on March 15, 2019.