Debate around changes to strengthen penalties for coward punches and assaulting first responders - and widen citizens' arrests

Parliament's voted in favour of a Bill to introduce new penalties - at its first reading.

It also lets retailers arrest shoplifters and offenders, to hold until Police arrive.

National, Act, NZ First, and Labour voted in favour.

Associate Police Minister Casey Costello took a crack at the Greens' opposition.

She quipped she was unsure where the Party was sitting.