Catholics among Wellington leaders opposing ‘move-on’ plan

By CathNews New Zealand

March 13th, 2026

(Vinnies Wellington)

Wellington Archbishop Paul Martin SM and other leaders of Catholic organisations have added their names to an open letter to the Prime Minister saying the Government’s proposed move-on orders are not welcome in the Wellington region. Source: Radio New Zealand.

In the letter, the Wellington region’s mayors, as well as iwi, church and social support agency leaders, decried the introduction of powers to enable police to relocate people from certain areas – under threat of fines or imprisonment.

Catholic Social Services director Carmel McKee and Compassion Soup Kitchen manager Sam Johnson signed the letter. Wellington Mayor Andrew Little and Anglican Bishop Justin Duckworth are also among the 21 signatories.

Last month, the Government announced that it plans to change the Summary Offences Act 1981 to enable police to relocate people from certain places because of the perceived impact they are having on others in the community.

Breaching a move-on order – which would require someone to leave an area for up to 24 hours – risked a fine of up to $2000 or a three-month jail term.

The letter from the Wellington region leaders told the Prime Minister: “We see the introduction of move-on orders as a superficial and unhelpful approach that has the potential to cause real harm to those members of our community that are most vulnerable. For this reason, we want to advise you that move-on orders are not welcome in this region.”

The letter accepted that anti-social behaviour should be responded to. But it stated that move-on orders are not the solution.

“Homelessness is a growing issue that is being felt throughout New Zealand. It is a complex and multi-faceted social challenge, the responsibility for which resides with all of us.”

The letter also referred to collaborative work by social agencies, Wellington City Council and police on homelessness.

“We look forward to working with your Government to find some compassionate and well-considered solutions to these issues,” the letter stated.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the letter was “overly simplistic” and its signatories were “ignoring the facts”.

FULL STORY

Move-on orders ‘not welcome here’, Wellington leaders say (By Bill Hickman/Radio New Zealand)

Auckland business associations ask PM to ditch move-on orders (Stuff)