Paul Brennan reflects on New Zealand’s rising homicide rate, questioning how the country reached this point and calling for urgent action. He controversially suggests considering capital punishment as a deterrent and tougher policing to combat meth-related crime and gang activity. Longer-term, he proposes a bold national infrastructure programme, where young people at risk of falling into crime would be employed in large-scale manual labour projects, earning good wages while building roads, railways, and other public works. This, he argues, would provide purpose, physical activity, and a sense of belonging—offering a real solution to crime while benefiting the nation.