Information released by Courts Minister Andrew Little shows that the average length of prison sentences imposed appears to have steadily increased over the period from 2008 to 2017.

Mr Little has provided the information in response to a written parliamentary question from National MP Amy Adams.

During the same time, the number of people sentenced to imprisonment appears to show a declining trend.

Mr Litte says the information counts an offender once per year for their most serious offence each year. Data for 2017 only includes the period from January to June.

Average length of prison sentences imposed by a court (calendar year) (excludes life imprisonment sentences)