The Government is giving police new powers to target fleeing drivers in an announcement made to the media in Hamilton.

Justice Minister Kiri Allan stated that if you're thinking of being a fleeing driver, there will be tougher consequences. These include taking away an offender's vehicle for good and harsher penalties around loss of licence.

Police can also impound a car for 28 days if its' owner refuses to give details about a fleeing driver.

Kiri Allan says that there's been an uptick in fleeing drivers over the last year and that these measures are tackling a longstanding problem. 

LISTEN ABOVE

• 'Tougher consequences': PM speaks amid new police powers to target fleeing drivers
• Govt introduces tougher penalties for fleeing drivers
• Police 'rephrase' pursuit policy around fleeing drivers