Latest news with #TrespassAct
The Spinoff
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Spinoff
Trespass bans and shoplifting fines: Tough new retail crime laws on the way
The government is introducing sweeping changes to tackle retail crime – but not everyone agrees it's the right approach, writes Catherine McGregor in today's extract from The Bulletin. Stronger trespass powers on the way Retailers have long argued that existing trespass laws are toothless, allowing repeat offenders to flout bans with little consequence. Now, the government says it's time to change that. Under a proposed overhaul of the Trespass Act, businesses will soon be able to ban offenders from not just one store but every branch of a chain – a move supermarket giants like Woolworths NZ have long championed, saying current laws are 'not fit for purpose.' The maximum trespass period will increase from two years to three, and fines for refusing to leave or lying about one's identity will double. Justice minister Paul Goldsmith says the changes aim to curb the rising tide of violence and theft that many retailers argue threatens workers daily. Sunny Kaushal, chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group which drove the law change, said the current act was 'a joke' and the changes would bring New Zealand more in line with other countries like Australia and Canada, RNZ reports. Shoplifting fines and new offences The trespass reforms are only part of the government's latest tough-on-crime push. Earlier this week, Goldsmith announced new measures targeting shoplifting, including on-the-spot fines of up to $1000 and a new offence of aggravated theft for offenders who use threatening or violent behaviour. The changes aim to end what Goldsmith calls 'apparent impunity' for low-level theft, Katie Ham reports in The Post (paywalled). The new infringement scheme will allow police to issue instant fines on the spot, much like speeding tickets, while the maximum punishment for theft will rise to one year in prison for goods worth $2000 or less, or seven years for more serious cases. A new aggravating theft offence will also be created for high-value theft carried out in an 'offensive, threatening, insulting, or disorderly' manner. Greens push back Not everyone is applauding the crackdown. Green Party MP Tamatha Paul has called the shoplifting measures 'criminalising poor people', arguing that penalising those who steal out of desperation won't solve deeper issues of poverty and food insecurity. Paul, who has attracted attention for previous comments on crime – including claiming a woman was jailed for stealing $12 worth of items, which she later admitted to the Herald's Jamie Ensor she couldn't verify – says the government's approach ignores the underlying drivers of petty crime. As Stuff's Bridie Witton notes, 'her comments come as food banks report struggling to meet demand – even before the peak winter surge – and continue to call for increased and guaranteed government funding'. Her criticism of the shoplifting law triggered a sharp response from National. Goldsmith accused Paul of 'giving shoplifting the green light,' and noted that Labour and the Greens had opposed other recent law-and-order changes like reinstating Three Strikes and banning gang patches. 'We can only assume this week will be more of the same.' Part of a broader law-and-order push The retail crime measures come as the government rolls out a flurry of law-and-order announcements. This week alone, ministers confirmed plans for new penalties targeting 'coward punches' and stronger sentences for those who assault first responders. At the same time, the Ministry of Justice quietly released analysis of February's controversial citizen's arrest law, another measure championed by Kaushal's advisory group. As RNZ's Russell Palmer reports, the analysis suggests allowing members of the public to arrest or detain thieves stealing from retail stores will do little for public safety. In fact, the analysis found, it could increase risks of force being used inappropriately, particularly against youth and Māori. Undeterred, the government is hoping to send a message: shoplifters, trespassers and repeat offenders won't get a free pass anymore. Whether it makes a dent in offending, or simply criminalises the most vulnerable, is something both sides of the debate will be watching closely.
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Strengthening Trespass Laws For Businesses
Associate Minister of Justice The Government is strengthening trespass laws to make them more effective and practical for businesses, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. 'We know our trespass laws are no longer fit for purpose. They're difficult to enforce and often criminals take no notice. They return with impunity and just continue to rob businesses of their livelihoods,' Mr Goldsmith says. 'Our plan to restore law and order is working, but there's still more work to be done. Trespass laws are an area we know will make a world of difference to the community. 'Businesses need extra tools to better protect their properties, keep offenders away, and stop them from coming back.' The proposed changes to the Trespass Act are: Increasing the maximum trespass period from two years to three years. Allow businesses, such as franchises, to trespass individuals from multiple locations. Increase the maximum fine for anyone refusing to leave when asked, or returning when trespassed from $1,000 to $2,000. Increase the maximum fine for anyone refusing to give their name and address when requested, or giving false information, from $500 to $1,000. 'For too long, offenders have treated trespass notices like a joke. These changes send a clear message: enough is enough. If you threaten retail workers or steal from businesses, don't expect to walk back in like nothing happened,' Mrs McKee says. 'Every New Zealander deserves to feel safe at work, especially our frontline retailers. These reforms aren't just about fines and paperwork; they are about making retail spaces safer and giving businesses the respect they deserve.' 'I want to thank Sunny Kaushal and the Retail MAG for engaging with retailers across the country and for their recommendations on how to modernise the Trespass Act, so it better upholds retailers' business and property rights, while keeping customers and staff safe,' Mr Goldsmith says. 'Our goal before the Bill is introduced is to explore how best to support retailers when distributing notices to those who refuse to engage.'
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Hospitality NZ Supports Stronger Trespass Laws To Protect Businesses
Hospitality New Zealand (Hospitality NZ) supports the Government's proposed changes to the Trespass Act, and believes they will help protect hospitality venues, staff, and patrons from repeat offenders. 'On occasion, hospitality operators are forced to deal with disruptive or threatening individuals who return time and again, knowing the consequences are minimal,' says Steve Armitage, Chief Executive of Hospitality NZ. 'These proposed reforms are a step in the right direction to better safeguard the people who work in service roles, as well as the customers they serve.' The proposed changes - which include extending the maximum trespass period, enabling franchise groups to issue multi-site bans, and increasing penalties - will provide hospitality businesses with greater certainty and stronger legal backing to manage repeat and aggressive offenders. 'We look forward to working closely with officials to ensure these reforms are implemented in a way that genuinely supports the needs of the hospitality sector.'
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
New Trespassing Proposals A Positive Step
Proposals to update and strengthen trespass laws announced today are a positive step in the fight against retail crime, Retail NZ says. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced plans to: increase the maximum trespass period from two years to three years allow retailers to trespass individuals from multiple locations increase the maximum fine for anyone refusing to leave when asked, or returning when trespassed from $1000 to $2000 increase the maximum fine for anyone refusing to give their name and address when requested, or giving false information, from $500 to $1000. 'Retail NZ has long been advocating for the trespass laws to be updated so we are pleased to see these proposals,' Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says. Ms Young is a member of the Ministerial Advisory Group on retail crime which is developing proposals to tackle retail crime. Current trespass laws are not effective for retailers as they require that retailers record the name and address of the offender, but in many situations it is not safe or practical to obtain this information. The new proposals should make it easier for verbal trespass to be effective, and to be supported by CCTV footage to show that a trespass notice has been issued, she says. Some further details are still being worked through, and Retail NZ will look to engage with officials as they draw up the amendments to the Trespass Act to ensure that the proposals are practical for retailers. 'Retailers are crying out for proactive solutions that prevent crime and enhance the safety of their staff and customers. Our members continue to face high rates of violence and crime, putting both their employees and the public at risk, as well as threatening the financial sustainability of retail businesses.' Retail NZ would like to see the maximum trespass period extended beyond three years for particularly violent offenders but welcomes the initiatives to allow retailers to bar offenders from several locations at once and the extension of the maximum trespass period to three years. Retail crime is a significant issue in New Zealand, impacting more than 99% of retailers and costing well over $2.6 billion a year. Retail NZ has formed a working group comprising a number of New Zealand's largest retailers which is developing agreed approaches to crime prevention measures.
