The government is bolstering citizen's arrest rules to encourage retailers to deal with shoplifters themselves.
Currently, the Crimes Act only allows people to make a citizen's arrest at night, but Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says they'll soon be able to happen any time of the day.
Self-defence powers are also being clarified, allowing people to use reasonable force.
But critics say the changes are more about optics than anything else and will put retail workers at risk.
Auckland University law professor Mark Henaghan chats with Emile Donovan.
Investigators at Smith and Caughey's department store on Auckland's Queen's Street which was targeted by ram raiders on 12 June. Photo: RNZ / Mohammad Alafeshat
