New police powers allowing officers to move rough sleepers on from public spaces are facing growing criticism from homelessness advocates and urban planning experts who warn the laws risk punishing poverty rather than solving the country’s housing crisis.
The new “move-on” powers are designed to give police greater authority to clear public areas where rough sleeping, begging or anti-social behaviour is considered disruptive.
The Government says the measures are intended to restore order and improve public safety in city centres and public spaces increasingly affected by visible homelessness.
However, critics argue the laws do little to address the underlying causes driving homelessness across Aotearoa, including rising rents, housing shortages, mental health pressures, addiction, family violence and growing economic hardship.
Urban planning expert Dr Tim Welch says the move-on powers effectively criminalise poverty by targeting vulnerable people already struggling without stable housing or adequate support services.
Advocates warn forcing rough sleepers to move from one location to another risks making homelessness less visible rather than reducing it, while potentially disrupting access to support networks, healthcare and outreach services.
There are also concerns the laws could increase distrust between homeless communities and authorities, making it harder for support agencies to engage with vulnerable people in need of assistance.
Critics say international evidence suggests punitive approaches to homelessness often fail to reduce rough sleeping long-term and can instead deepen instability and marginalisation.
Officials and housing experts have previously warned that enforcement-focused responses alone are unlikely to succeed without major investment in housing supply, mental health services and long-term support programmes.
Dr Welch says policymakers risk overlooking evidence showing homelessness is primarily driven by structural issues rather than individual behaviour.
Advocates argue that many people sleeping rough are already experiencing trauma, poverty, addiction or untreated mental health challenges and require stable housing and wraparound support rather than policing.
Housing organisations are instead calling for greater investment in:
- Emergency and transitional housing
- Public and social housing
- Mental health and addiction services
- Long-term tenancy support
- Whānau-centred housing solutions
- Kaupapa Māori homelessness programmes
Māori remain significantly overrepresented in homelessness statistics, with advocates warning the impacts of punitive enforcement are likely to disproportionately affect Māori communities already facing housing inequities.
Critics also fear the laws could place additional pressure on already stretched emergency services, community providers and local councils without addressing the root causes behind increasing homelessness.
The debate comes as New Zealand continues grappling with worsening housing affordability and cost-of-living pressures affecting thousands of households nationwide.
Advocates say meaningful reductions in homelessness will require long-term investment in affordable housing, poverty reduction and social support systems rather than simply removing vulnerable people from public view.
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