It is a matter of pride,” says Sunny Kaushal, Chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Group, as he reflects on the group’s recent submission of key recommendations to the New Zealand Government aimed at curbing crime, particularly retail crime and restoring public confidence in law and order. In an exclusive interaction with The Indian News, Kaushal shared his perspectives on the growing challenges faced by communities, the urgency of reform, and the progress made in a relatively short period.
According to Kaushal, retail crime has reached a level that has left business owners, especially within the Indian and other ethnic communities, feeling vulnerable and unprotected. He noted that for years, shopkeepers have operated under constant fear, uncertain about when they might be targeted next. “The Indian community has been one of the most affected,” he said, pointing out that small family-run businesses have borne the brunt of repeated thefts, intimidation, and violent behaviour.
Kaushal believes that a significant shift has finally occurred with the current government demonstrating a serious commitment to addressing crime. He contrasted this with what he described as the previous administration’s “soft on crime” approach, which, in his view, emboldened offenders and left victims feeling helpless. “After a long wait, there is finally a government willing to confront this issue head-on,” he remarked.
However, Kaushal expressed disappointment at criticism coming from certain sections of society and ethnic media, whom he accused of promoting misleading narratives aligned with opposition parties. He argued that such criticism ignores the reality faced by ordinary New Zealanders. “People were tired of the uncertainty and fear,” he said. “Criminals could strike at any time, day or night, and retailers felt powerless. Running a retail business had become nearly impossible.”
Defending the work of the Ministerial Advisory Group, Kaushal urged critics to recognise what his team has achieved in just eighteen months. He emphasised that the group was tasked with addressing deeply entrenched issues within outdated legal frameworks and that meaningful reform takes both courage and clarity.
Central to the group’s recommendations are five major reforms designed to modernise criminal law and better respond to retail crime. The first involves expanding citizens’ arrest powers by amending the Crimes Act, allowing individuals to intervene and detain offenders at any time, rather than being limited by outdated restrictions. The second proposal introduces an infringement regime for shoplifting, enabling police to issue on-the-spot fines for lower-level offences instead of pursuing lengthy court processes.
The third recommendation calls for strengthening penalties for theft, particularly where the value of stolen goods exceeds $2,000. The fourth proposes the creation of a new offence for aggravated theft, covering threatening, offensive, or disorderly behaviour even when the value of goods stolen is relatively low. The fifth reform focuses on strengthening and modernising the Trespass Act, allowing businesses to impose longer bans on repeat offenders and enhancing legal protections for retailers.
In addition to these reforms, Kaushal has advocated for allowing retailers access to “personal safety aides,” such as pepper spray, to protect themselves in high-risk situations. He confirmed that the government has already accepted three of the key recommendations expanded citizens’ arrest powers, reforms to the Trespass Act, and the infringement regime for shoplifting and that these measures are currently progressing through Parliament.
Kaushal also highlighted that many of New Zealand’s criminal laws are more than a century old and were originally designed for an agricultural society. “We are living in a completely different time,” he said. “Our population has grown from around one million to more than 5.5 million. Laws must evolve to reflect modern realities, especially when it comes to organised and repeat retail crime.”
Responding to allegations regarding expenditure, Kaushal was unequivocal. He stated that the funds used by the Advisory Group were significantly lower than previous government spending on gang-related initiatives. Importantly, he clarified that the funding came from proceeds of crime, not public money, and that the group had underspent its allocated budget while delivering concrete outcomes. “We have achieved results while being fiscally responsible,” he said.
Addressing reports of three members leaving the Advisory Group, Kaushal explained that their departures were due to personal career decisions and not internal disagreements. He confirmed that replacements would be appointed soon to ensure continuity of the group’s work.
Reaffirming his commitment, Kaushal concluded by stating that the goal of the reforms is to restore safety, confidence, and fairness. “This is about protecting communities, supporting honest business owners, and ensuring New Zealand remains a safe place for everyone,” he said. -as told to Yugal Parashar