A leading public health researcher is warning that proposed move-on powers could create a new pathway into the justice system for vulnerable young people, while doing little to address the root causes of youth homelessness.
Professor Nevil Pierse says concerns are growing that the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill could see children as young as 14 criminalised for behaviours directly linked to having nowhere safe to live.
The proposed legislation would allow Police and authorised officers to direct people to leave public places under certain circumstances. However, critics argue the bill risks targeting some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable young people rather than providing solutions to the challenges they face.
Professor Pierse says the risk of bringing more rangatahi into contact with the justice system is significant, particularly for young people already experiencing housing insecurity, poverty, family breakdown, mental health challenges or other forms of disadvantage.
He says many young people sleeping rough or spending extended periods in public spaces are not there by choice but because of circumstances beyond their control.
The concern is that move-on orders could effectively punish young people for systemic failures in housing, social support and youth services rather than addressing the underlying causes that have led them into homelessness.
Public health experts warn that once young people enter the justice system, even for relatively minor offences, the long-term impacts can be profound. Contact with the justice system has been linked to poorer health outcomes, disrupted education, reduced employment opportunities and increased social exclusion.
There are also growing concerns about the practical consequences of moving homeless young people away from visible public spaces.
Professor Pierse says public locations often provide a level of safety because they are well-lit, populated and accessible to outreach workers, social services and community members who can offer assistance.
If young people are repeatedly moved on, there is a risk they will seek refuge in more isolated and hidden environments, including abandoned buildings, industrial areas or remote locations where they are less visible and more vulnerable to exploitation, violence and harm.
Researchers say such displacement can make it harder for support services to maintain contact with young people and can increase risks to both physical and mental wellbeing.
The debate comes as housing experts, health organisations and youth advocates continue to highlight stable housing as the most effective intervention for reducing homelessness.
Professor Pierse says evidence from New Zealand and overseas consistently shows that secure housing, combined with wraparound support services, delivers better outcomes than punitive approaches.
Housing-first models, access to mental health support, whānau-centred interventions and investment in affordable housing have all been identified as proven strategies for helping vulnerable young people achieve stability and improve long-term outcomes.
Advocates argue that if the Government is serious about reducing youth homelessness, its focus should be on expanding access to housing and support services rather than increasing enforcement powers.
Public submissions on the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill are now open and close at 11.59pm on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
As debate over the legislation continues, health experts are urging decision-makers to consider whether the bill addresses homelessness itself, or simply shifts vulnerable young people out of sight while leaving the underlying problem unresolved.
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