Offence categories

How the most serious offence is determined in tables

A range of information is used to determine which charge is a person's most serious in a year. This includes information such as charge outcome, sentence/order type, sentence length/amount, remands in custody and bail and maximum offence penalties.

See Sentence types for information about how sentence types are ranked in the adult conviction and sentencing tables.

Change of method for classifying offences

From 1 July 2010, all New Zealand justice sector statistics have classified offences using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Offence Classification (ANZSOC).

In the past, each justice sector agency had its own method of categorising offences, which made it difficult to compare agency statistics. Such comparisons are now much easier using the common classification method.

See Australian and New Zealand Standard Offence Classification (ANZSOC), 2011 from the Australian Bureau of Statistics website for further information.

ANZSOC divisions

Offences under ANZSOC are classified into 16 divisions:

• 01: Homicide and related offences
• 02: Acts intended to cause injury
• 03: Sexual assault and related offences
• 04: Dangerous or negligent acts endangering persons
• 05: Abduction, harassment, and other offences against the person
• 06: Robbery, extortion, and related offences
• 07: Unlawful entry with intent/burglary, break and enter
• 08: Theft and related offences
• 09: Fraud, deception, and related offences
• 10: Illicit drug offences
• 11: Prohibited and regulated weapons, and explosives offences
• 12: Property damage and environmental pollution
• 13: Public order offences
• 14: Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences
• 15: Offences against justice procedures, government security, and government operations
• 16: Miscellaneous offences.