Breaching an order could result in a fine of up to $2000 or three months in prison.<\/p>\n
A family friendly protest will be held on the lawn of Holy Trinity Church, Devonport Rd on Sunday from 1pm to 3pm as part of the National Day of Action initiated by Auckland-based Kickback, an organisation supporting young people experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n
Local advocacy groups taking part in the protest say the legislation would further marginalise people already living with significant hardships, while doing little to address the underlying causes of homelessness.<\/p>\n
Angela Wallace, board co-chair of Awhina House, which provides transitional housing and support services for homeless women in Tauranga, urged people to attend the \u201cpeaceful protest\u201d action.<\/p>\n
Wallace said she and other staff worked closely with people who had slept rough and understood the complex realities behind homelessness.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe this legislation will not address the underlying issues of homelessness and will further victimise wh\u0101nau who are already vulnerable and have no place to go.<\/p>\n
\u201cMoving rough sleepers from place to place does not help their situation. Vulnerable women who seek safety in well-lit public areas will be at risk if forced to move to less safe areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said it would also make it less likely they would get support.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolice will become the enforcers of the move-on orders … while the needs of vulnerable wh\u0101nau remain unmet and homelessness continues to rage on unchecked.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Awhina](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LE6LDQ545JGEFHU2LN2UWXJW7I.jpg\")
\nAwhina House board co-chair Angela Wallace. Photo \/ NZME<\/p>\n
Wallace said protest attendees would hear from speakers about alternative approaches to move-on orders and learn how to formally oppose the legislation.<\/p>\n
Takitimu House operations manager Jessica Gamble said the proposed law did not address the housing shortage or the need for more resourcing of community organisations providing wraparound support.<\/p>\n
Takitimu House provides transitional housing and other support for unhoused men.<\/p>\n
Gamble said housing was not just a social issue – it was a \u201cjustice and economic\u201d issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cTransitional housing works because it treats people with dignity and gives them a real chance to rebuild their lives. Instead of fines and prison cells, we should be investing in pathways that genuinely lead people out of homelessness.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Takitimu](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/77X7CJSVJRBEVPGIZARQM5YYEY.jpg\")
\nTakitimu House provides transitional housing and other support to homeless men. Photo \/ NZME<\/p>\n
She said this required a stronger focus on increasing housing supply, particularly one- or two-bedroom homes, and better resourcing for community groups. .<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen people have stable housing and consistent support, outcomes improve for individuals, communities and the public purse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gate P\u0101 Community Centre Trust chairman Doug Barnes agreed.<\/p>\n
Homelessness was rarely the result of a single factor, he said, and most homeless people had complex needs and a complicated backstory.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen a huge increase in homelessness, and at the same time we\u2019ve seen a reduction in the availability of support services needed to address those needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said moving homeless people, particularly women vulnerable to exploitation, from one place to another created more problems and safety risks.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a community, we need to do more to address our homelessness problems and work together with local and central government to find real solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Holy Trinity Church vicar Nigel Dixon said he believed the legislation was \u201cquite disingenuous\u201d and an extreme response to homelessness and poverty.<\/p>\n
He said police could already move on people who were \u201ccreating a real nuisance\u201d and the legislation would be a \u201cpretty blunt instrument\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t legislate societal change from afar with punitive measures. What does work is empowering and resourcing local communities and local people to respond with compassion and practical solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the protest, there will be a free sausage sizzle and bottles of water, music and performances, and sign-making. Good Neighbour Aotearoa Trust\u2019s mobile shower and laundry unit will be on-site.<\/p>\n
Attendees were encouraged to bring clean blankets to sit on or warm jackets and donate them for distribution to homeless people.<\/p>\n
![\"Justice](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/5HCDPPUVWVACFF2BQ5TA3HCHLI.jpg\")
\nJustice Minister Paul Goldsmith.<\/p>\n
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the legislation was about \u201creclaiming our streets and city centres\u201d for the enjoyment of everybody who visited, worked and lived there.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe currently have many tools to help those who are in need, including access to one of the most generous welfare systems in the world, but we have limited tools to deal with disorderly behaviour.”<\/p>\n
Goldsmith said New Zealanders were \u201cfair-minded\u201d people.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur culture is one where we seek to help those who are in need, but that doesn\u2019t mean we should accept our city centres, particularly our showcase tourist spots, becoming places of intimidation and dysfunction.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said a move-on order was not a criminal charge.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly people who refuse to comply with a move-on order will face criminal proceedings. Police have the expertise to connect people with the help they may need.\u201d<\/p>\n
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