The acting Prime Minister has conceded the rollout of support to protect businesses against ram-raids and smash-and-grabs has been too slow, but promises progress is being made.
It comes after a video showed bystanders scrambling to stop hammer-wielding thieves fleeing with stolen goods from an Ellerslie jewellery store.
The Government has previously committed to helping businesses that are most at risk of repeat burglaries with aid from a $6 million fund.
The fund was announced in May to support business owners affected by a spike in ram raids. The money, which comes from the Proceeds of Crime Fund and is managed by police, is intended to pay for physical barriers outside stores, such as bollards or planter boxes.
But the programme has repeatedly been criticised for being too slow. Speaking with AM on Tuesday Grant Robertson conceded help isn't being rolled out quickly enough but he said the Government is working closely with police to speed up the process.
"I know you're going to raise with me, the fund that's available for people to be able to get support. We want that out there as soon as possible," Robertson told AM co-host Ryan Bridge on Tuesday.
"The police are managing it, they are doing assessments. I know it's not as fast as people would like and we're continuing to work with the police on how we can get that support out there as soon as possible."
Robertson said the initial commitment of 40 to 50 assessments each week wasn't happening but said police and Government are working hard to meet their targets.
"We're continuing to work with [police] to try and make sure they can get the resources out there and that they're doing their core job of arresting those who've done this offending. But we recognise we want preventative measures in place as well, that's the reason why the Government put the money on the table and we've got to work with police and those who are affected to get it implemented."
Robertson said the Government wants the rollout sped up and Police Minister Chris Hipkins is working with police to do that.
"They have criteria they want to be able to work through those assessments… You're right, they haven't done as many as they committed to. I think they've done about 120 of them so far. We do want to see that speed up and I know the Police Minister is talking with the police about how we can do that."
Robertson said the attacks are horrendous and incredibly distressing for store owners but he said thankfully the offenders involved in the Ellerslie burglary were apprehended quickly.
"It's frightening, it's distressing and we don't want anybody to have to be going through that situation," he said.
"This is an issue, this is the type of offending - the ram riding that is currently in fashion, as it were. Police have obviously arrested hundreds of people over the course of the last few months in that regard and they have to keep doing that."
When asked to describe the people carrying out these attacks in one word, Robertson said "criminals".
"Well, they're criminals. And these are people who are acting outside the law, who are invading the businesses and the lives of hardworking people. It's hugely distressing and it's wrong."
It's not the first time the Government has faced scrutiny over the fund. In September Hipkins said police were "too slow" to roll out money but promised "significant" progress was now being made.
Hipkins' comments came after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed displeasure at how long it was taking for businesses to access support.
Chris Hipkins, who became the Police Minister in June after Poto Williams was removed from the position, said police "are hurrying up".
"They got their message several weeks ago from me," he said at the time. "As a result, a lot more assessments have now been done. I think over 40 businesses have now had their assessments completed [and] about 30 of them sit with contractors for the work to actually be happening. I expect that progress is going to continue to accelerate over the coming weeks."
