Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern rejects claims there are no consequences for young people committing crimes.
It comes as Auckland is facing an increase of ram raids and smash and grabs - which are often being carried out by young people.
Speaking with AM on Monday, Ardern said the recent spike in crime is "atrocious" and promised police and the Government are taking it seriously.
"They are atrocious, they are totally brazen and, of course, you will have seen the police have a dual focus in supporting retailers with additional funding we have put aside to ensure preventative measures but also making sure those who are taking part of these activities are held to account," she told AM co-host Ryan Bridge on Monday.
Ardern said preventative measures are key and must also include stopping young people from getting caught up in a life of crime.
"We want to make sure we are preventing as well, so yes making sure people feel safe in their businesses.
"The prevention also needs to be around what do we do to stop young people, for whatever reason, from entering into this kind of activity? So here we have a group of Ministers - Education, Social Development, Justice and Police who we have brought together to make sure we are looking at all the things that are contributing."
When Bridge questioned whether the increase was because there were no consequences for young offenders, Ardern hit back saying there are.
But the Prime Minister said in some cases, when the offender is very young, alternative punishments need to be looked at.
"It is fair to say though that if someone is particularly young… Efforts are often made to use consequences and punishment that don't for instance necessarily lead to that individual being in facilities that result in their continuing [to offend]…that is not to say that there are no consequences.
"But it will depend on the age of that individual… but to say there are zero consequences I would argue against," she said.
It comes after a spate of smash-and-grabs rocked Auckland businesses overnight with two more liquor stores being targeted.
Liquorland in Takanini was hit just after midnight on Monday. Police could be seen picking up a hammer and moving empty cigarette draws in the aftermath of the theft.
Across town, Remuera's 'Bottle-O' was also hit, where shattered glass still covers the pavement.
Communities across Tamaki Makaurau are facing a spike in brazen burglaries at the moment - including at least four in Saint Heliers in just one week.
Former senior police investigator Richard Middleton told Newshub on Sunday it's going to take an all of Government response to fix the problem.
Middleton spent 33 years in the police force and worked as the national tactical coordinator focusing on preventing crime.
He said lockdown has contributed to the recent spike in youth crime.
"We've got a lot of youth out there that are incredibly bored. They've got nothing to lose, consequences mean nothing to them," he told Newshub.
"A big part of this is notoriety and bragging rights amongst their mates."
Middleton said it will take more than just the police to help end this crime wave.
"They are repeat offenders. Taking them through the youth court is not going to work sadly. It's about changing their behaviours and the only way you can do that is wrap-around services and getting the communities involved," he said.
"Police alone can't do it, and never could. The communities must take some responsibility to put peer pressure on their families and the youth doing it. It needs to be applied through the churches and the local community groups."
