A respected Māori warden, church leader and long-time community advocate is warning that proposed move-on orders risk pushing vulnerable young people further into crisis rather than helping them find safety and stability.
Rawiri Ratu has written directly to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressing concern about the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill, as public submissions open on the proposed legislation.
The bill would give Police and authorised officers greater powers to direct individuals to leave public places under certain circumstances. However, critics fear the measures could disproportionately affect rangatahi experiencing homelessness, family breakdown, poverty and other forms of vulnerability.
Drawing on years of frontline work with whānau and young people across South Auckland, Ratu says his immediate reaction to the proposal was concern about the potential unintended consequences for those already struggling.
He says many of the rangatahi he encounters are not in public spaces because they want to be there, but because they are dealing with difficult circumstances including unstable housing, family violence, disconnection from support networks and limited access to services.
Community advocates argue that for some young people, public spaces become places of refuge, visibility and relative safety.
There are concerns that move-on orders could simply relocate problems rather than solve them, pushing young people into more isolated areas where they are less likely to be seen by outreach workers, support agencies and community members who may be able to help.
Ratu says many of the young people he works alongside are already carrying significant burdens and challenges. He fears the proposed legislation risks criminalising the realities of their lives rather than addressing the underlying causes that have placed them in vulnerable situations.
The debate comes amid growing concern from health professionals, housing advocates and youth organisations that the bill could create a pathway into the justice system for young people whose primary need is support rather than enforcement.
Opponents of the legislation argue that homelessness, housing insecurity and youth disconnection are social issues requiring social solutions.
Ratu believes greater investment is needed in prevention, early intervention and community-led support systems.
He says the focus should be on ensuring young people have access to stable housing, education, mental health support, cultural connection and trusted adults who can help guide them through difficult circumstances.
Those working directly with rangatahi say meaningful change requires addressing the drivers of homelessness and vulnerability rather than responding solely to its visible symptoms.
The concerns raised by Ratu echo those of other community leaders who have questioned whether move-on powers will improve outcomes or simply move vulnerable young people from one location to another without addressing the challenges they face.
Public submissions on the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill are open until 11.59pm on July 2, with advocates encouraging whānau, community groups and rangatahi themselves to have their say before Parliament considers the legislation further.
As the debate continues, questions remain about how New Zealand balances public order concerns with the need to protect, support and create opportunities for some of the country’s most vulnerable young people.
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