The Government’s ‘move on’ orders will penalise homeless people without addressing the causes of homelessness or offering support to those who need help.
“Moving someone from one doorstep to the next does not fix homelessness. ‘Move‑on’ powers don’t build homes or connect people with support,” Labour Auckland spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni said.
“Slapping fines or threatening prison time on those who can’t afford a safe place to sleep or something to eat is disgraceful.”
“It doesn’t create a single new bed, it doesn’t provide support, and it doesn’t deliver a permanent roof over someone’s head. It just shifts the problem from the CBD to people’s neighbourhoods,” Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said.
“Without real solutions to the homelessness problem, this further penalises people who have little or nothing.
“The Government must explain how moving on a 14-year-old rough sleeper as this policy allows will do anything other than make their situation even more precarious and dangerous.”
Carmel Sepuloni said, “This is the National Government showing how little they care about Aucklanders who need support. They’ve cut support to social services and access to emergency accommodation, and failed to get people into homes, making things worse for those already needing help.
“Real solutions mean more homes people can actually live in, mental health and addiction support, opportunities to work and practical pathways off the street. That’s how you reduce rough sleeping and keep people safe - not by moving it along to another suburb. Out of sight is not out of mind,” Carmel Sepuloni said.
