The Government is giving police new powers to crack down on beggars, rough sleepers and people “displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour”. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell have today announced the new “move-on orders” and details around when they’ll be issued and who they will target. Speaking to media in Auckland this morning, Goldsmith defended suggestions that it was unfairly targeting the most vulnerable. “It certainly doesn’t criminalise poverty,” he said. The penalty for breaching a move-on order will be a maximum $2000 fine or up to three months’ imprisonment. “New Zealanders are fair-minded people, and our culture is one where we seek to help those who are in need, but that doesn’t mean we should accept our city centres, particularly our showcase tourist spots, becoming places of intimidation and dysfunction,” Goldsmith said. “Our main streets and town centres have been blighted by disruption and disturbance. Businesses are declining as some bad behaviour goes unchecked. It needs to stop.” However, Labour’s Auckland spokeswoman Carmel Sepuloni said the orders will penalise “those with the least” without having addressed the causes of homelessness. “This is the National Government showing how little they care about Aucklanders who need support,” Sepuloni said. Green Party co-leader and Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, also heavily criticised the law changes, comparing them to “Trump’s America” by “ignoring evidence and punching down”. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. Photo / RNZ, Mark Papalii The Government has agreed to amend the Summary Offences Act to provide police with the power to issue move-on orders to people who are: – Displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour – Obstructing or impeding someone entering a business – Breaching the peace – Begging, in all forms – Rough sleeping – Displaying behaviour indicating an intent to inhabit a public place When a police officer issues a move-on order, they’ll be required to warn the person that it is an offence to breach the order – unless the person has a reasonable excuse for being there. If they continue to display the same behaviour at another location, they’ll be moved on from there too “until they get the message”. “Currently, police officers have limited options to respond, particularly when it doesn’t reach the level of offending. It means many disruptive, distressing and potentially harmful acts can occur before officers have any means of intervention. It doesn’t make sense,” Goldsmith said. “Our Government is committed to fixing the basics in law and order, and building a future where shoppers, visitors, residents and their families can feel safe in our communities.” The new orders will require a person to leave a specified area for a specified amount of time, up to 24 hours. They’ll also have to move on a reasonable distance from the area, as specified by the constable. It will apply to all people aged 14 or older and be issued in writing “as is operationally appropriate”. Rough sleepers in New Plymouth. Photo / RNZ, Robin Martin “Naturally, every situation will be different,” Mitchell said. “Some people may require support services, some may not. Police have the expertise to assess and determine what support is required, if any – they do this every day. Mitchell also told media on Sunday morning that they shouldn’t assume that “all of these people are homeless”. “Most of these people have got somewhere to go,” he said, saying the Government continues to see people “that choose to make the pavements somewhere they want to live,” “Our police officers are familiar with the locations they work with and already have strong networks and partnerships with social and housing services. I expect police will work closely with these providers as they develop their operational guidance for the front line.” Swarbrick has “implored” the Government to choose a solutions-...