Sexual offences, drug crimes, violence and family violence increased but the number of homicides dropped from 111 to 92 in the year to the end of June, police said.
There were 442,540 recorded offences compared with 426,690 the previous year, an increase of 3.7%.
However, New Zealand's population increased 1%, which meant the offence rate per head of population increased by 2.8%.
Nine of the 12 police districts experienced increases in the number of recorded crimes.
The Southern police district showed a slight increase overall of 0.4%.
Within that district, the Dunedin-Clutha police area, which takes in Dunedin and the Clutha district, shows a 5.8% drop in recorded offences.
There was a decrease in recorded crime in all offence categories, excluding sexual and drugs and antisocial offences.
Dunedin-Clutha area commander Inspector Dave Campbell said there was an increase in cannabis offending but a decrease in breaching the liquor ban, and the unlawful taking of cars and thefts from cars had dropped markedly, thanks to the work of the police youth crime team which targeted the worst youth offenders.
Asking suburban community constables to target wilful damage had resulted in a 7% reduction.
The Otago Rural police area (Queenstown-Lakes, Central Otago and Waitaki) recorded a significant increase in violent crime, with 82 more violent offences recorded, driven primarily by an increase in intimidation and threats, area commander Inspector Mike Cook, of Alexandra, said.
Contributing to the overall decline in recorded crime nationally was the decrease in the number of drugs and antisocial offences, including a drop in alcohol and disorder offences, which signalled the community was more aware of liquor bans.
Theft offences also decreased over the year, with 107 fewer offences recorded.
Southland's crime rate rose 8.5% in overall recorded crime for the year to June 30, acting area commander Inspector Lane Todd said.
Driving that were significant increases in the number of violent crimes, including 72 more serious assaults, 41 more grievous assaults and 38 more minor assaults.
Invercargill police targeted inner city violence and alcohol offending with one three-week operation in the city and intended to do more, Insp Todd said.
Recorded family violence in the area was up 25%, a rise attributed to increased reporting of offending. Drug and antisocial offences continued to increase from last year, driven mainly by a 62% rise in cannabis offences.
Burglary and dishonesty were down, but wilful damage was up.
Invercargill's community policing group was targeting this type of offending, and work was already under way with the Invercargill City Council, community patrols and Maori wardens to develop proactive strategies to reduce it.
