Catholic agencies urge select committee to reject move-on bill
Four Catholic organisations want the government to drop plans for legislation that targets rough sleepers.
14 July 2026 - WELLINGTON - Caritas Aotearoa NZ and three other Catholic social service organisations have called upon Parliament's Justice Select Committee to reject proposed new legislation, arguing it risks criminalising homelessness rather than addressing its root causes.
The joint submission on the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill was lodged by Caritas, Catholic Social Services Wellington, Catholic Social Services Auckland, and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.
The committee is now considering public feedback, and the written statement will inform an oral submission to be lodged later in the month. The legislation had its first reading in May, with the committee due to report back to Parliament by September.
Four Catholic social service agencies have told a Parliamentary select committee that proposed legislation would criminalise poverty and homelessness in New Zealand.
The proposed bill would give police the power to issue so-called ‘move-on’ orders to people aged 14 and above for conduct that includes begging, rough sleeping and behaviour ‘deemed disorderly or disruptive.’ People who fail to comply could face fines of up to $2,000, or up to three months in prison.
In their submission, the four organisations say the proposal risks punishing some of New Zealand's most vulnerable people while doing little to address the causes of homelessness, poverty, mental distress and addiction.
They argue that moving people on from public spaces does not solve underlying problems and may instead disconnect them from essential support services such as churches, healthcare providers, food assistance and community agencies.
The submission also raises concerns about the impact on young people experiencing homelessness, family breakdown or poverty, saying move-on orders could further exclude them from safe public spaces and support networks.
They contend that existing laws already give authorities sufficient powers to respond to disorderly behaviour, trespass issues and breaches of the peace and say that the bill's practical effect would be to target people whose only "offence" is begging or having nowhere else to sleep.
While welcoming the government's recent $14.5 million investment in homelessness support, the organisations say long-term solutions require sustained investment in housing, mental health, addiction services, income support and community-based assistance - rather than punitive measures.