Thomas Matthew Power licence declined

A Wellington man has had a bid to run a secondhand-goods business rebuffed in a decisive ruling after police exposed a violent in-store episode. When Thomas Matthew Power applied for an individual secondhand dealer licence under the Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 2004, his application ran into a strong objection from police. The objection wasn’t only about past convictions — it was about what allegedly happened in his own shop.

On 30 August 2024, Mr Power was convicted for possession of an offensive weapon. According to the decision (NZLASHP 03), during a dispute inside his store—while customers or visitors were present—he became abusive, then grabbed two tomahawk-style axes from behind his counter. He waved them above his head and threatened: “it’s time to die are you ready?”

The fact the incident occurred in his business premises weighs heavily. The Authority’s decision emphasises that the violent conduct was not isolated, but occurred in the very environment in which he applied to be licensed.

Beyond that, police also flagged a prior conviction for importation of LSD, for which Mr Power served 2 years and 6 months’ imprisonment. That history, combined with a recent violent act, formed a pattern that police submitted made him unsuitable to hold a licence.

The decision further notes that Mr Power’s existing certificate and company licence had expired in January 2024. Yet, from the materials before the Authority, it seems the Stamp Coin and Gold Exchange continued trading after that date—i.e., operating without valid credentials. This is a direct contravention of the SHDP Act.

To make matters worse, Mr Power did not respond to the police objection and did not ask for a hearing. The Authority had to make its decision based solely on written records.

Under the SHDP Act, licence holders must satisfy a “fit and proper person” test: they must be trusted to comply with statutory obligations and to guard against stolen goods passing through their operations.

The Authority held that Mr Power’s behaviour—especially the axe incident in his own premises—demonstrated he could not be trusted to meet those standards. The application was declined.

The decision is dated 23 September 2025 and signed by P. A. McConnell in Wellington.