Police Minister Judith Collins says she will support police carrying guns in the front of patrol car lock-boxes if that option is presented in a review of arming police.
Speaking at the Police Association's annual conference in Wellington, Ms Collins said she was not convinced officers needed to be routinely armed but agreed they needed faster and easier access to firearms.
Police Commissioner Howard Broad was working on that issue and due to report back to Ms Collins by the end of the year.
Ms Collins said an option was likely to be to have lock-boxes in the front of patrol car, and it was an option she would support.
"However, what I wouldn't support are officers wearing guns at schools, in malls or where they have a lot of contact with the community."
Ms Collins told the conference new police powers to intercept communications and seize property from criminals were making life a misery for New Zealand's underbelly.
As at the end of August, $29.7 million worth of assets had been seized under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act. The assets were in the hands of the Official Assignee, who administers the Proceeds of Crime Act, awaiting further legal proceedings and orders.
"In addition, an estimated $30.6m worth of assets are being investigated as a result of methamphetamine offending. Police are holding a further $7.8m worth of assets that were seized under other legislation."
Ms Collins said there had been a 15 percent increase in methamphetamine-related offences this year compared to the two previous years, and a 17 percent increase in apprehensions across the same period.
The number of clandestine drug labs closed down was also up, and that was partly the result of nationally co-ordinated investigations targeting organised crime.
Initiatives such as the three-strikes legislation, introducing tasers, giving police the power to DNA test people arrested for a wider range of offences, and legislation targeting gangs all helped deter crime.
"Armed with new powers to intercept gang communications, dismantle gang fortifications and seize property from criminals, police have tackled the gangs head on."
She also took a shot at those who criticised police for trying to apprehend motorists who fled after offending, rules allowing for police to use private bars to socialise, or those who were critical over the use of tasers.
"Well, I think those views are nonsense, and I've not been shy in saying so."
Ms Collins also congratulated Police Association president Greg O'Connor on being re-elected for his seventh term.
