All frontline police officers will soon be armed with tasers while on duty.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush made the announcement from police headquarters in Wellington yesterday, saying the change was about enhancing the safety of New Zealand communities and police staff.
Currently, frontline officers can access tasers from a lockbox in police vehicles when required, however, the new initiative means tasers can be carried by trained level-one responders, at all times.
There were about 5500 police staff trained as level one responders, Mr Bush said.
The implementation of the initiative began yesterday but it would be weeks or months before frontline staff would carry a taser.
The decision to roll out tasers to all frontline police was made following research, which showed the taser was successful in de-escalating violent situations, Mr Bush said.
"The reality is that police officers often enter into high risk situations.
"With taser immediately accessible, this provides added confidence for our staff and communities that if a situation does escalate into violence our officers have appropriate tools to manage the situation."
Mr Bush said the nature of police work meant officers often found themselves in high-risk situations.
"Immediate accessibility of the taser provides them with added confidence they can safely de-escalate violent situations.
"Officers have also cited examples where the taser has proved a life saving alternative to a firearm.
"Firearms, which of course, will always remain the last resort."
Police Association president Greg O'Connor said it was his hope that officers would never need to be armed with guns.
The taser was a "less lethal" option than a firearm, he said, calling the announcement "courageous".
Police currently had access to about 1000 tasers.
Between 400 and 600 new devices will be purchased as part of the new initiative.
The cost of purchasing more would be $600,000 per year, and it would be funded under the police budget, Mr Bush said.