Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime
Overview
The Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime was established by the Minister of Justice, Hon Paul Goldsmith, and the Associate Minister of Justice, Hon Nicole McKee, on 11 July 2024. Besides the Chair, the advisory group comprises members with extensive expertise across the retail sector.
The Ministerial Advisory Group was established to provide the Ministers with high quality, independent advice, develop practical, evidence-based proposals, policies, and legislative recommendations to tackle urgent issues related to retail crime. The Group's mandate is to table proposed legislation for the Government to consider as part of its plan to restore law and order including options on how security guards and business owners can better protect themselves.
This effort involves direct engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders, including retailers, victims, workers, business owners, retail experts, advocacy groups, and government agencies. Our mission is to create actionable solutions that place victims at the centre of justice and effectively deter offenders. By adopting proven, successful policies from around the world and providing independent advice on policy, prevention, detection, and deterrence, we aim to significantly reduce retail crime and enhance cross-agency collaboration to address its societal drivers.
Functions and objectives
The functions of the Ministerial Advisory Group are to provide independent advice on:
policies relating to retail crime and opportunities relating to the detection, prevention, and deterrence of retail crime
the experiences, interests, and needs of victims of retail crime and the ways they could be better supported and protected
overseas developments, particularly novel and emerging responses to retail crime from other jurisdictions
whole-of-society issues that may drive retail crime and require cross-agency collaboration
significant policy reviews (including at the scoping and recommendation stages) relating to retail crime; and
its findings from research and engagement commissioned or undertaken.
The initial objectives of the Ministerial Advisory Group are to provide advice on possible legislative changes to:
empower security guards to deal with retail offenders
allow retail business owners to deal with shoplifters; and
enable the use of facial recognition technology.
The Advisory Group reports to the Minister of Justice and the Associate Minister of Justice on a quarterly basis.
Member biographies
The members of the Ministerial Advisory Group were chosen for appointment based on their:
Experience in retail sector and/or the security and crime prevention
Lived experience of retail crime
Recognised leader in the sector, for example as a media spokesperson, published author or committee chairperson
Experience working with, or in, national or local government
Experience working in collaborative groups such as retail sector committees, and/or
Experience and/or understanding of international retail crime space.
Sunny Kaushal (Chairperson) is a business advocate and community leader who has championed the rights and safety of New Zealand’s small businesses for over a decade. He served as Chair of the New Zealand Dairy and Business Owners Group for seven years and President of the Crime Prevention Group for 13 years, leading impactful initiatives to support business owners and hold authorities accountable. Sunny is also the Director of Auckland’s historic Shakespeare Hotel, an iconic city landmark.
Ash Parmar is the founder of Eight PM, a Waikato-based liquor retailer. He is formerly a Director of Super Liquor Holdings and was the founding chairperson and race director of the Kirikiriroa Marathon Society.
Resources and support
Resources and administrative support are provided by the Ministry of Justice. The Chair and members will be supported by a Secretariat to enable the Ministerial Advisory Group to perform its functions.
MAG fees and expenses are in accordance with the Cabinet Fees Framework [CO(22) 2] at level 1 of Group 4 (“All other Committees and other Bodies.) The fees framework is available on website of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.(external link)