Legislation giving police powers to issue move-on orders to rough sleepers and people displaying disorderly behaviour in public has been introduced.
When the amendment to the Summary Offences Act passes through Parliament, police officers would have the power to issue "move on orders" to people displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour; obstructing or impeding someone entering a business; and those breaching the peace.
See Mava Moayyed's deeper look into the Move-On Orders on 1News.co.nz and TVNZ+ on Friday morning.
The orders could also be issued for all forms of begging, rough sleeping, and behaviour "indicating an intent to inhabit a public place".
An order would require a person to leave a specified area for up to 24 hours and move a "reasonable distance from the area" as specified by the constable.
Move-on orders would apply to all people aged 14 or older, and would be issued in writing or electronically.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the law was needed because streets and town centres had endured "unprecedented levels of disruption in recent years".
He said New Zealand had "one of the most generous" welfare systems in the world, but had "limited tools" to deal with disorderly behaviour.
"It means many disruptive, distressing, and potentially harmful acts can occur before police officers have any means of intervention. This legislation changes that."
Goldsmith said a move on order on its own was not a criminal charge, and only people who breached orders would face prosecution.
“This is about reclaiming our streets and our city centres for the enjoyment of everybody who visits, works and lives there,” he said.
When the legislation was first announced in February, it was slammed by opposition parties and homelessness advocates.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the Summary Offences Act will be amended to give police officers additional enforcement powers. (Source: 1News)
Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said: “It doesn’t create a single new bed, it doesn’t provide support, and it doesn’t deliver a permanent roof over someone’s head. It just shifts the problem from the CBD to people’s neighbourhoods.
“Without real solutions to the homelessness problem, this further penalises people who have little or nothing."
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said the Government was "punching down" and copying a "callous approach" from the Trump administration in the United States.
“If the Government wants to ‘deal’ with homelessness, it should house people. It says it just wants to ‘move’ people ‘on’ - to where?”
Natalia Cleland, Director of Wellington's DCM (Downtown Community Ministry), said the policy would only "exacerbate the stress and stigma many homeless whānau already face while blocking access to meaningful support".
Retail NZ said the powers could be a helpful tool, but was cautious about the "long-term solution".
“Ultimately, addressing the disorderly, threatening and intimidating behaviour we are seeing in our towns and cities across New Zealand is a positive step forward and providing Police with tools to enable them to address this is welcome, but on its own, without wider social services support we don’t believe it make a long term difference," chief executive Carolyn Young said.
See Mava Moayyed's deeper look into the Move-On Orders on 1News.co.nz and TVNZ+ on Friday morning.
SHARE ME