Justice minister says government has no policy criminalising homelessness
Paul Goldsmith, justice minister, recently announced that legislation empowering police officers to issue move-on orders to address disorderly, disruptive, threatening, or intimidating behaviour in public places has passed its first reading in Parliament.
According to the government’s news release, move-on orders can also cover individuals who are obstructing or impeding someone entering a business, breaching the peace, begging, rough sleeping, or showing an intent to inhabit a public place through their behaviour.
When facing such an order, issued in writing or electronic form as operationally appropriate, a person aged 14 or older should move on from a specific area, with the constable deciding the distance, for a length of time not exceeding 24 hours.
“Our streets and town centres have endured unprecedented levels of disruption in recent years. Many people no longer want to be there,” Goldsmith said in the news release. “Businesses, residents and visitors are paying the price.”
According to him, one “would be hard-pressed to find anyone who lives, works or visits our city centres that hasn’t witnessed disorderly behaviour. That’s why so many people and central city businesses support move-on orders.”
Goldsmith clarified that the legislation does not intend to criminalise homelessness and that move-on orders do not constitute criminal charges, with only those defying such orders to face prosecution.
“We 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,” he said in the government’s news release.
Goldsmith explained that the legislation aims to enable police officers to intervene in disruptive, distressing, and possibly harmful acts, as well as to make people feel safe when residing in, working in, or visiting New Zealand’s central cities.
“New Zealanders are fair-minded people, and our culture is one where we seek to help those who are in need,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean we should accept our city centres, particularly our showcase tourist spots, as places of intimidation and dysfunction.”
The government announced on 22 February 20226 that it would be enabling police officers to issue move-on orders. The government then introduced the legislation to equip police with these new tools on 14 May 2026.
