Ministerial Advisory Group Faces Wave of Resignations

The Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) established to support victims of retail crime is facing renewed scrutiny following a series of high-profile resignations that have significantly reduced its membership. Formed in July 2024 to advise the New Zealand Government on urgent retail crime challenges, the group was initially made up of five members drawn from across the retail and business sectors. In recent weeks, however, three members have stepped down, leaving chair Sunny Kaushal and Hamilton liquor retailer Ash Parmar as the only remaining participants.

Among those who resigned was Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young, who confirmed to 1News that her decision followed an increasingly strained working relationship with Kaushal. Young said she found it no longer possible to continue in the role, citing what she described as a difficult and untenable environment.

“It’s fair to say it’s been a really difficult environment for me,” Young told 1News in a statement. She alleged that she had faced personal attacks from Kaushal and from groups associated with him, which ultimately led to her resignation.

Responding to these claims, Kaushal acknowledged that differences of opinion between himself and Young were well known but said he respected her perspective. Speaking to The Indian Weekender, he said he wished Young well and emphasized that disagreement did not diminish her contribution to the group’s work.

Kaushal also pushed back against suggestions that the resignations indicated deeper problems within the advisory group. He described the recent departures as part of normal leadership movement, particularly given the senior professional roles held by members.

“These changes reflect normal leadership movement in any organization,” Kaushal told The Indian Weekender. “Members hold other senior roles, and when business demands increase, or people step into new appointments, they sometimes need to step back from external commitments.”

The MAG was created to engage directly with victims of retail crime, frontline workers, business owners, retail experts, and advocacy groups. Its mandate was to provide government with specific, practical proposals to tackle what were described as urgent and escalating challenges in the retail sector, including shoplifting, antisocial behaviour, and staff safety.

However, Young has been critical of the group’s internal direction. In her statement to 1News, she said the advisory group lacked a clear strategic plan and had become dominated by Kaushal’s personal proposals rather than a shared, evidence-based approach.

“The ideas put forward are Sunny’s ideas,” Young said. “They’re not new, and I don’t think they’re widely supported. We were doing isolated pieces of work without any foundation for what we wanted to achieve.”

Kaushal rejected this characterization, pointing instead to the timing of other resignations. He noted that Michael Bell had taken on additional responsibilities within his business, while Lindsay Rowles had moved on from Foodstuffs after being appointed chief executive of Mitre 10.

“These are positive developments, not a reflection on the MAG,” Kaushal said.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has also confirmed that other advisory group members have left. According to 1News, Goldsmith said the MAG had been “incredibly busy” over the past year developing detailed policy proposals. These reportedly included recommendations around wider citizens’ arrest powers and the introduction of a shoplifting infringement regime.

Despite the criticism and reduced membership, Kaushal says the group’s work remains focused and forward-looking. A key priority, he told The Indian Weekender, is supporting retailers to make submissions to the Select Committee on the Crimes Bill. Many retailers, he said, are seeking stronger police powers and clearer legal tools to address antisocial behaviour in city centres.

Kaushal also expressed disappointment at what he described as attempts to distract from the advisory group’s objectives.

“That’s their choice,” he said. “I’m focused on delivering results for safer communities and businesses in New Zealand.”

As the Government continues to consider reforms to address retail crime, the future shape and influence of the Ministerial Advisory Group remains an open question. Whether new members will be appointed, and how the group’s recommendations will be received, will be closely watched by retailers and policymakers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG)?

The MAG is a government-established advisory body formed in July 2024 to provide recommendations on tackling retail crime and supporting victims.

Why have several MAG members resigned?

Three members resigned due to a combination of professional commitments, leadership changes, and internal disagreements, according to statements from those involved.

Who remains on the advisory group?

Sunny Kaushal, the chair, and Hamilton liquor retailer Ash Parmar are currently the only remaining members.

What criticisms were raised by Carolyn Young?

Young said the group lacked a strategic plan and became dominated by the chair’s personal proposals rather than a collaborative approach.

What is the group currently focusing on?

According to Kaushal, the focus is on supporting retailer submissions to the Select Committee on the Crimes Bill and advocating for stronger measures against retail crime.