Legislation to increase penalties on anyone who attacks a police officer may soon be introduced to Parliament.
Police Minister Judith Collins is supporting a recommendation for changes, and the introduction of new offences, which she is to discuss with Cabinet colleagues.
The recommendations come from a police briefing paper commissioned by the Minister after a spate of attacks on officers.
The report recommends legislation that would treat attacks on police more seriously than other assaults, and suggests considering them an aggravating factor in sentencing.
Ms Collins told Morning Report there will be Cabinet discussions on how to put changes in place quickly.
"I agree with the general thrust of the briefing paper," she says. "In there is a recommendation that I write to the Minister of Justice, as I have, and suggested that there could be some changes considered.
"This is a very serious issue and I believe very firmly that the police need to be respected."
Judith Collins told Morning Report that offences against police officers could be treated as qualifying offences under the three strikes legislation.
The Minister's office says changes could be implemented quickly.
Last month, three police officers were attacked in separate incidents - one officer had part of his lip bitten off.
