Oppose the Summary Offences (Move-On Orders) Amendment Bill.
Oppose the Summary Offences (Move-On Orders) Amendment Bill.
The issue
Petition Organised by Emily Zentveld, Abi Shaw and Libby Huang.
We call on the New Zealand House of Representatives to reject the Summary Offences (Move-On Orders) Amendment Bill. Link to the Bill
The proposed Summary Offences (Move-On Orders) Amendment Bill would give Police the power to issue move-on orders to people aged 14 years and over if they have "reasonable grounds to suspect" they are engaging in behaviours including "begging" or "rough sleeping or setting up personal possessions, makeshift shelters, or other structures indicating an intent to inhabit the public place." A move-on order can require a person to leave a public place and remain away for up to 24 hours.The bill also gives Police the power to temporarily detain someone while obtaining their personal details and issuing the order. A person who refuses to remain where they are detained or refuses to provide their details could receive a fine of up to $500. If someone knowingly breaches a move-on order, they could face up to three months' imprisonment or a fine of up to $2,000, and Police would have the power to arrest them without a warrant.
We believe these penalties are disproportionate for people who may simply have nowhere else to go. Move-on orders do not provide housing, financial assistance, or access to mental health and addiction services. Instead, they relocate vulnerable people from one public place to another without addressing the underlying causes of homelessness and poverty.
We believe that New Zealand should prioritise investment in affordable housing, mental health services, addiction support, employment opportunities, and community organisations that work directly with people experiencing homelessness.
Why should you sign our petition?
By signing this petition, you are supporting a fairer and more compassionate response to homelessness, one that focuses on helping people rather than simply moving them on. Your support will encourage the government to reconsider their stance on the bill, and help to protect the rights of vulnerable individuals on our streets.
We therefore ask Parliament to reject the Summary Offences (Move-On Orders) Amendment Bill and instead support policies that address the underlying causes of homelessness and poverty.
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The issue
Petition Organised by Emily Zentveld, Abi Shaw and Libby Huang.
We call on the New Zealand House of Representatives to reject the Summary Offences (Move-On Orders) Amendment Bill. Link to the Bill
The proposed Summary Offences (Move-On Orders) Amendment Bill would give Police the power to issue move-on orders to people aged 14 years and over if they have "reasonable grounds to suspect" they are engaging in behaviours including "begging" or "rough sleeping or setting up personal possessions, makeshift shelters, or other structures indicating an intent to inhabit the public place." A move-on order can require a person to leave a public place and remain away for up to 24 hours.The bill also gives Police the power to temporarily detain someone while obtaining their personal details and issuing the order. A person who refuses to remain where they are detained or refuses to provide their details could receive a fine of up to $500. If someone knowingly breaches a move-on order, they could face up to three months' imprisonment or a fine of up to $2,000, and Police would have the power to arrest them without a warrant.
We believe these penalties are disproportionate for people who may simply have nowhere else to go. Move-on orders do not provide housing, financial assistance, or access to mental health and addiction services. Instead, they relocate vulnerable people from one public place to another without addressing the underlying causes of homelessness and poverty.
We believe that New Zealand should prioritise investment in affordable housing, mental health services, addiction support, employment opportunities, and community organisations that work directly with people experiencing homelessness.
Why should you sign our petition?
By signing this petition, you are supporting a fairer and more compassionate response to homelessness, one that focuses on helping people rather than simply moving them on. Your support will encourage the government to reconsider their stance on the bill, and help to protect the rights of vulnerable individuals on our streets.
We therefore ask Parliament to reject the Summary Offences (Move-On Orders) Amendment Bill and instead support policies that address the underlying causes of homelessness and poverty.
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Petition created on 2 July 2026