US police using tasers have killed 500 people since 2001. Most of these people were unarmed and not threatening anyone. http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/usa-stricter-limits-urged-deaths-following-police-taser-use-reach-500-2012-02-15

The taser is not a "nonlethal weapon". It is a sometimes-lethal weapon.

I can not believe people are complaining about this, NZ Police are not respected at all by most younger people and criminals. They are basically considered as security guards with handcuffs. They need to be fully armed like all Australian Police to gain full respect of the community! A large amount crime would drop due to the fear and respect of the power that NZ Police would have. Yes there maybe the odd case of a Officer abusing his powers but its better than having crime like we do now due to police either being to scared to attend a dangerous incident or being heavily delayed due to ASKING permission to attend a dangerous scene with a taser or gun. Its simple, arm all our police with at least a taser and crime will drop. Any one that objects to this is simply either a criminal themselves or does not know the reality of our crime and the real situations that our Police are put in day to day. Amen

"He said Tasers were a non-lethal alternative to firearms where someone was putting themselves or others in danger, but Mr Marshall said there were strict rules governing their use."

Not correct, tasers are "less-lethal" not "non-lethal"

I resent the police, for the simple fact they often make mistake's and never have to say sorry!! I'm law abiding however if i see a cop being tazered I'll advise them that i'm to busy!! I find it hard to believe a police officer will not use there tazer someday inorder to simplify the situaction, not because it was required. I only trust police whom i know personally, and will find it hard to swallow.

Idon'tbelieveit #47 - What do you have to support the idea that crime is increasing other than increased reporting by the media? If you read any academic literature on the subject you'd see that in New Zealand, and most of the Western world for that matter, crime has stayed stable, or possibly even slightly decreased, over last half century or more. The difference between now and 20 years ago is the media are now reporting more crime in a more sensationalised manner, making everyone think that crime is out of control.

As a New Zealander living in USA I can not believe anyone would oppose this. Every security officer at the hospital where I work carries a tazer 24/7 and they also have excellent negotiating skills. Whenever I have to work alongside security I am very pleased to see them and have full confidence in their professionalism. NZ police are likely to be just as trustworthy in my view.

Well, I guess it's better an innocent person being accidentally tasered than shot, as has happened before. Better chance of survival. Wondering how long it'll take to get our first taser usage in a completely non-lethal situation too.

Awesome news! I have nothing to fear from the police because I'm a law-abiding citizen, and I respect them. I welcome this news, it protects us, and it protects our police! Great news!

Urgh i'm sick of the taser debate, it was a step introduced inbetween other measures but before guns. So if you would prefer then we could scrap them and give the cops guns.

God help us all, future goon squads. people will learn the hard way in the coming years.