Citizen's arrest powers and retail crime

The story so far

Labour criticised government spending on a $3.6 million retail crime advisory group, noting its chair receives $920 a day, before the government was expected to unveil new retail crime plans based on the group's advice.^{25 Feb 2025} The government then moved to change citizen's arrest laws so retailers could deal with shoplifting, with reforms that would allow reasonable force without age or value limits.^{26 Feb 2025} Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced plans to amend the Crimes Act to let citizens detain and restrain offenders.^{26 Feb 2025} Police and business lobby groups raised safety concerns and the risk of vigilante action, and the Police Association warned the changes could lead to violence and a free-for-all, while Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki expressed support.^{26 Feb 2025}

Latest

The government has proposed strengthening citizen's arrest powers, and business lobby groups and the Police Association have raised safety concerns.^{26 Feb 2025}

Key moments

1. 25 Feb 2025Labour criticises $920-a-day chair fees for $3.6m retail crime advisory group.
2. 26 Feb 2025Government signals citizen's arrest changes allowing reasonable force without age or value limits.
3. 26 Feb 2025Goldsmith unveils new citizen's arrest rules to detain suspected thieves using reasonable force.
4. 26 Feb 2025Goldsmith and McKee propose Crimes Act amendments; Police Association warns of violence.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.