Full Breakdown
Act Party’s Security Licence Bill
7/3/2026, 8:31:06 AM
Act Party’s Security Licence Bill
The Act Party’s bill would licence Accredited Security Operators (ASOs) to detain people on private premises for up to 30 minutes, require name and address, issue three-year exclusion notices, remove threats and use reasonable, proportionate force. It is presented as separate from the Crimes Amendment Bill.
Retail Crime Context and Legislative Landscape
Retail crime costing NZ$2.6 billion a year has spurred calls for stronger security. The Crimes Amendment Bill already expands citizen-arrest powers; Act argues its proposal needs distinct legislation.
Principal Stakeholders
Proponents include Act leader David Seymour; opponents include Council for Civil Liberties director Thomas Beagle. Security expert Gary Morrison (NZSA) and retailer Carolyn Young (Retail NZ) also comment.
Key Numbers
New Zealand has about 27,000 licensed security officers. Standard accreditation is two days; the ASO qualification adds five days plus an annual refresher. Exclusion notices may last three years; detentions are capped at 30 minutes.
Government and Industry Responses
Act officials say licences require specialised advanced training and stringent vetting. NZSA outlines a curriculum covering legalities, conflict management and reasonable force. Retail NZ’s Carolyn Young cites rising weapons in stores as justification.
Civil-Liberty Concerns
Council for Civil Liberties director Thomas Beagle calls extending detention powers to private guards “disturbing” and warns the definition of “reasonable force” could create “messy situations.” Critics also fear blanket exclusion notices overreach civil liberties.
Local Precinct Experience
Two years ago extra security was added to Auckland’s Newmarket precinct. Mark Knoff-Thomas says a cross-precinct ban would send a clear “zero-tolerance” message, though coordination is needed.
Unresolved Issues
Act defines “reasonable force” as proportionate, yet critics note no concrete criteria. The party claims civil-liberty safeguards, but no consultation with coalition partner National has been recorded.
Direct Voices
- “I’m really disturbed by the idea they want private security guards to have these powers.” — Thomas Beagle, Council for Civil Liberties
- “We’ve mapped out what the training would look like, and it’s quite in-depth, going through the legalities and practical skills around how you safely detain an offender, and that’s only the last resort.” — Gary Morrison, NZSA
- “So being able to have active security out at the front of your store to address those potential incidents ... is a useful tool to have.” — Carolyn Young, CEO, Retail NZ
- “Like most retail town centres, we have a small number of recidivist offenders, and being able to do a cross-precinct ban sends a very clear message that there is zero tolerance on crime, and any reoffending is treated more seriously by the law.” — Mark Knoff-Thomas, Newmarket Business Association
Future Outlook
Parliament will continue debating the security licence bill alongside the Crimes Amendment Bill. If passed, the ASO regime, training and exclusion-notice framework will be enacted, with licences revocable for breaches; a timeline is pending.
