The Wave of Resignations Rocks the Ministerial Advisory Group

In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through New Zealand's retail sector, three out of the five members of the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) for Victims of Retail Crime have resigned in recent weeks. The group, tasked with advising the government on combating rampant shoplifting, ram raids, and other retail thefts, now finds itself halved just as retail crime continues to plague businesses nationwide.

Carolyn Young, the chief executive of Retail NZ, was the most recent and vocal to depart, citing an increasingly toxic working environment dominated by clashes with group chair Sunny Kaushal. Young described personal attacks on her professionalism and a lack of collaborative strategy, stating it had become 'untenable' to continue. Lindsay Rowles, a senior manager at Foodstuffs North Island, and Michael Bell, national retail manager at Michael Hill, had already stepped down late last year, officially due to job promotions and external commitments.

Leaving only Kaushal and Hamilton liquor retailer Ash Parmar, the resignations have fueled questions about the group's effectiveness and internal dynamics at a critical time for New Zealand retailers.

Understanding New Zealand's Retail Crime Epidemic

Retail crime has emerged as one of New Zealand's most pressing public safety and economic challenges. According to industry estimates, it costs Kiwi retailers between $2.6 billion and $2.7 billion annually in losses, stock shrinkage, security upgrades, and uninsured damages. A 2023 Retail NZ survey revealed that a staggering 92% of respondents had experienced some form of retail crime in the previous 12 months, with just 8% unaffected.

Ram raids—violent smash-and-grab attacks on stores, often targeting pharmacies and dairies—peaked during the post-Covid period, with hundreds reported monthly in 2023 and 2024. Shoplifting incidents surged, exacerbated by youth gangs and organized crime rings reselling stolen goods online or across the Tasman. While police data shows a decline in violent retail crimes in 2025, attributed partly to better tech-enabled reporting via platforms like Auror, the overall financial toll remains immense.

Small 'mum and dad' shops, particularly in suburban and rural areas, bear the brunt, facing not just theft but intimidation and assaults on staff. This crisis prompted urgent calls for government intervention, leading directly to the MAG's creation.

Birth of the Ministerial Advisory Group in July 2024

Responding to mounting pressure from retailers, the coalition government established the MAG for Victims of Retail Crime in July 2024. Appointed by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith, the group was designed to bring frontline expertise into policy-making. Its mandate included engaging victims, workers, business owners, and advocates to develop targeted proposals for enhancing retailer safety and community protection.

Initial members represented diverse retail voices: chair Sunny Kaushal, a fierce advocate from the dairy owners' sector; Carolyn Young from Retail NZ; Lindsay Rowles from supermarket giant Foodstuffs; Michael Bell from jewellery retailer Michael Hill; and Ash Parmar from independent liquor sales. Funded from the Proceeds of Crime Fund with an $1.8 million annual budget, the MAG aimed to cut through bureaucracy and deliver practical fixes.

The formation followed policy shifts, such as police scrapping a $500 shoplifting investigation threshold in mid-2025, expected to boost probes by 60%.

Key Achievements and Policy Proposals to Date

Despite its short lifespan, the MAG has been productive. Core recommendations include:

• Expanded citizens' arrest powers for retailers facing immediate threats.
• A new shoplifting infringement regime to treat low-level thefts as civil fines rather than full prosecutions, freeing police resources.
• Strengthened trespass orders to ban repeat offenders from stores long-term.

These fed into the Crimes Amendment Bill, which passed its first reading in Parliament in December 2025 and is slated for full passage before the 2026 election. The group also explored allowing pepper spray for staff—a restricted weapon currently—and audio-visual surveillance enhancements.

Minister Goldsmith credits the MAG with restoring 'law and order basics,' giving businesses tools to protect themselves without relying solely on stretched police.

Internal Tensions: Clash of Visions and Personal Conflicts

Behind the scenes, fault lines emerged early. Carolyn Young publicly criticized the group for lacking a overarching strategic plan, instead pursuing 'isolated pieces of work' driven by Kaushal's longstanding personal proposals. She opposed citizens' arrest expansions as 'extremely dangerous,' warning of potential injuries or fatalities to retailers and bystanders.

Kaushal, known for his no-holds-barred advocacy, dismissed concerns and reportedly laughed off a Retail NZ press release questioning the idea. Young alleged personal attacks from Kaushal and his former dairy owners' network, labeling meetings a 'very unpleasant environment.' Kaushal countered mildly, wishing her well and framing exits as routine 'leadership movement.'

Spending scrutiny added fuel: Kaushal invoiced $238,625 in his first year at up to $920 per day; 22 catered meetings cost nearly $24,000; and a 389sqm Auckland office ran $100,000 yearly—for a team of two remaining members.

Government Stands Firm: 'Total Beat-Up' and Chairman Defense

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith robustly defended the MAG, calling media portrayals a 'total beat-up.' He praised Kaushal as 'absolutely fierce' in championing small shop owners against violent crime, emphasizing the chair's passion aligns with government priorities. Goldsmith thanked the departing members but insisted the group remains on track with a 'busy year ahead' of new work.

'To achieve different outcomes, we need to try different things,' Goldsmith said, underscoring the need for bold reforms amid persistent crime.NZ Herald coverage

Stakeholder Perspectives: Retailers, Police, and Critics Weigh In

Retail NZ, now led without Young on the MAG, has long advocated for tougher measures but expressed frustration over police response times. Small business groups echo Kaushal's urgency, citing daily threats in dairies and convenience stores. Police welcome policy shifts like the infringement regime, which could handle 55% more direct reports as seen in 2025 Auror data.

Critics, including opposition voices, highlight spending excesses and question if the MAG's top-down approach truly represents retailers. Dairy owners, Kaushal's former base, back his vision unreservedly.

Real-World Impacts: Case Studies from the Frontlines

Consider a typical Auckland dairy: In 2024, owner Raj Patel faced three ram raids in six months, costing $50,000 in repairs and lost stock. Staff quit after assaults, forcing family labor. Similar stories abound in Christchurch and Wellington, where youth offenders strike repeatedly under weak deterrents.NZ Police retail crime data

In Hamilton, Ash Parmar's liquor store installed panic buttons post-MAG consultations, reducing incidents by 40%. These anecdotes underscore why resignations risk stalling momentum.

Challenges Ahead: Can the MAG Rebound?

With only two members, recruiting replacements is priority one. Budget justifications loom amid taxpayer backlash. The Crimes Amendment Bill's fate hinges on election timing—National aims to enact before November 2026 polls. Broader hurdles include police resourcing, youth justice reforms, and cross-border stolen goods flows to Australia.

• Recruit new diverse expertise quickly.
• Address spending transparency.
• Build consensus on controversial powers like arrests.

Future Outlook and Path Forward for Retail Safety

Optimists see the MAG as evolving, with 2025's violent crime drop (linked to tech and reporting) as proof reforms work. Pessimists fear dysfunction hampers progress, prolonging $2.7b losses. Potential next steps: integrate MAG advice into a national retail security framework, partner with tech firms for AI surveillance, and launch community education on crime reporting.

For retailers eyeing stability, resources like New Zealand job opportunities in secure sectors offer alternatives amid uncertainty. Ultimately, balanced leadership could turn this crisis into a turning point for safer stores nationwide.

As New Zealand approaches its 2026 election, retail crime remains a ballot issue—watch for MAG 2.0 to deliver.

Photo by Julia Taubitz on Unsplash