National pledges to remove right to silence in child murder cases

National says it will remove a person's right to silence when a child is murdered if the party is re-elected.

The policy was announced by justice spokesperson Paul Goldsmith, RNZ reported.

Under the proposal, Parliament would create a new offence in the Crimes Act, the law covering serious criminal offending, for failing to give police information after a killing. It would apply to a person who was present at the location where a child under 12 was killed and did not disclose information to police.

National says the offence would apply when a child under 12 dies and it is unequivocal that one or more adults were present at the time of death or leading up to it.

A person found guilty would face up to 10 years in prison.

The pledge has been made as an Election 2026 campaign promise.