3 July 2026

A new policy from ACT that would see specially trained security guards be licensed and given additional powers, could provide retailers with the support some need as retail crime continues to impact the sector, Retail NZ Chief Executive, Carolyn Young, says. 

Retail NZ’s Crime Reports released in 2023 and 2024 found retail crime costs the sector about $2.6 billion a year, and our members tell us that even a couple of years on, instances of customer aggression have continued to worsen. 

“Retailers have been struggling to manage the growing level of abuse and violence from customers in their stores. We support any changes that would provide advanced training to security guards to allow them to appropriately and safely manage these higher-risk situations,” Ms Young says. 

“It is vital any additional powers for specially accredited security guards would need to remain reasonable and proportionate, but many retailers may benefit from having security staff that could remove customers who are threatening safety or causing harm, for example.” 

“We see this policy as fitting nicely alongside the changes to trespass laws for retailers that are currently being considered by select committee,” she says. 

“Retail NZ is supportive of advanced security guards, and we see this as a more appropriate alternative to the enhanced citizen’s arrest provisions that have been developed as part of the Crimes Amendment Bill.”  Ms Young says while appropriately trained and licensed security guards would be welcomed in the retail sector, there needs to be a balanced approached to ensure there is not a disproportionate risk of harm.

For further information or to set up an interview please contact Carolyn Young on 021 449 452

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