The government is introducing tougher penalties for drivers who flee police.

Police Minister Michael Woodhouse has announced the move at the Police Association's annual conference in Wellington today.

Measures include longer licence disqualifications:

"To increase existing mandatory driver license disqualification periods, for failure to stop offences...to six months for the first offence, 12 months for the second and 24 months for the third and subsequent offences."

Mr Woodhouse said offenders could also lose their cars.

"Mandatory vehicle confiscation for second and subsequent failure to stop offences within a four year period will also be introduced

He said there's been success with the boyracer issue with the use of similar legislation.

He believes failing to stop is a serious issue.

"In the five years of the review that informed this policy, 29 people were killed. They were all the drivers of cars that fled - but several hundred others were injured, some were innocent bystanders and about 450 occupants of those vehicles who were with the fleeing driver were also injured." 

Police Association President Greg O'Connor believes the measures will have an effect, particularly the threat of having cars confiscated from repeat offenders.

"One of the problems has always been that there hasn't been a consequence, that these guys know that if they plant boot, getaway thus placing more danger onto the roads - that there won't be a consequence. If they know that they're going to lose the car, I think that's something that could work."