Listen "Citizens' arrests law change sparks safety concerns in retail sector"
Episode Synopsis
The Government’s announced it’s giving businesses more power to make ‘citizen’s arrests’. Up until now, citizen’s arrests could only happen between 9pm and 6am, for crimes with a maximum punishment of at least three years in prison. But the changes mean people can intervene and stop any offence at any time of the day, by using restraints and ‘reasonable’ force. Retail crime costs New Zealand retailers $2.6 billion each year. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says retail crime rose 85% between 2019 and 2023, including a 91% increase in victimisations relating to theft. Today on The Front Page, we speak to Retail NZ’s Carolyn Young about the rise of retail crime, and later Labour’s police spokesperson Ginny Andersen, who is criticising the government for the changes. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More episodes of the podcast The Front Page
Reissue: David Seymour talks Opposition, regulation and backlash as he becomes Deputy Prime Minister
07/01/2026
Reissue: “We know the family, we know the cop”: Mayor speaks of close-knit Marokopa community
31/12/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.