New Zealand expands citizen’s arrest powers targeting retail crime

New Zealand Parliament passed a Crimes Act amendment expanding citizen’s arrest powers, letting security guards detain suspected thieves, with most provisions effective within a week. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the law targets retail crime, citing abuse of staff and billions in economic costs. It also creates offenses for assaulting first responders and corrections workers, plus three "coward punch" offenses. The amendment strengthens trafficking and slavery laws to close loopholes. Goldsmith said coward punches previously drew lenient sentences despite risks of death or brain injury.