If somebody has nowhere to live, where exactly are we moving them on to?
That question is at the centre of a growing campaign calling for people sleeping rough to be moved into housing by Christmas, rather than simply moved from one public space to another.
A coalition of 18 organisations is backing urgent action to provide safe accommodation and support, as opposition continues to the Government’s proposed Move-On Orders.
Youth homelessness organisation Kick Back argues homelessness should primarily be treated as a housing and social-support challenge rather than behaviour requiring a policing response.
The Government’s proposed legislation would give Police additional powers to order people to leave areas where specified disruptive, intimidating or antisocial behaviour is occurring. Following the select committee process, people under 18 have been removed from the proposed regime.
The Government says communities, businesses and residents should not have to tolerate intimidating or disruptive behaviour in public spaces. Opponents argue that moving somebody from a shop doorway or public space does nothing to provide them with somewhere safe to sleep.
More than 7,000 submissions were made during the parliamentary process, while more than 4,700 people have backed an open letter opposing Move-On Orders.
The debate has particular significance for Māori, who are disproportionately represented among people experiencing severe housing deprivation and homelessness. Rangatahi can face additional risks when leaving state care, unstable whānau environments or other institutions without secure accommodation.
Housing advocates say accommodation also needs to be backed by mental-health services, addiction treatment, healthcare, income assistance and intensive frontline support, particularly for people experiencing chronic homelessness.
Ending rough sleeping by Christmas is an ambitious target, but the campaign is putting a simple challenge before politicians ahead of Election 2026:
Don’t just tell people to move on. Give them somewhere to move into.
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