Criminal offending in New Zealand is at a 29-year low and police are hailing the figures as evidence that its "Prevention First" strategy is working.
The data from Statistics New Zealand reveals 15,602 fewer crimes were recorded in 2013 than the previous year - a decline of 4.1 per cent.
Reported crime rose in three of the 12 police districts, with Eastern, Central and Northland bucking the trend while both Wellington and Auckland almost hit double-digit percentage decreases.
Deputy Commissioner Mike Bush says the reduction in crime to a 29-year low comes at a time when the population grew.
"We are deploying staff more efficiently and pro-actively to ensure police are in the right place at the right time to prevent crime from occurring," he said.
"The figures are a credit to our staff who are committed to making New Zealand communities safer."
The Prevention First plan focuses on targeted policing to reduce offending.
Increased reporting was expected to be behind an 11.6 per cent jump in sexual offences, Mr Bush said, while the police's targeting of the methamphetamine supply was believed to be the basis of a 59 per cent surge in the trade in drugs.
"Unfortunately methamphetamine is not going away. Police will continue to commit resources to disrupt supply and reduce the harm this drug causes," Mr Bush said.
