Hundreds of people have gathered at Wellington's St Paul Cathedral for an all-night vigil, protesting the government’s controversial plan to give police the power to issue move-on orders to people sleeping rough.
About 250 demonstrators and 50 volunteers, organised by a coalition of 10 church groups and supported by numerous community organisations, assembled on Tuesday evening. The event, held just a stone's throw from the Beehive, featured food, speeches, and music before many settled in for a prayer vigil scheduled to last until 6am Wednesday.
The protest is in direct opposition to new legislation that would allow police to order rough sleepers and others deemed to be causing a nuisance to move from a public area. Anyone who fails to comply could face a fine of up to $2000 or a maximum of three months in prison.
A community stands against 'criminalising poverty'
Critics of the proposed orders argue that they will punish the most vulnerable members of society without addressing the root causes of homelessness. The vigil’s organisers sent a clear message to the government that they believe people are not problems to be "kicked down the road".
Assistant Bishop of Wellington, Ana Fletcher, said she had invited Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Housing Minister Chris Bishop to attend the vigil but received a message they were unable to be there in person. "This is right next to the halls of power, it would be lovely if they could come, the opportunity is still open to anyone who would like to come if they're available in town," she said.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister stated he has a "full schedule in the morning".
Bishop Fletcher outlined three core messages for the government. "The first is that we believe that people are not problems to be kicked down the road, and that every person has dignity," she said. "The second is that the current response criminalises those who are in poverty, that are experiencing distress and trauma. The third is that there's actually evidence-based effective ways to address homelessness. we want to be pushing resource into those things that we know actually work."
The view from the front line
Among those attending were front-line workers who deal with the realities of homelessness daily. Ronson Grant, a support worker for DCM (Downtown Community Ministry), said he was there to support the city’s 'whānau' and build awareness. "We could all end up in this situation one day, especially the way the world's going," he said.
Mr Grant argued that the government needs a deeper understanding of the complex issues forcing people onto the streets, such as mental health and addiction. "There's a little bit more to our whānau just wanting to live on the streets, there's a lot of underlying issues," he explained. He criticised the punitive approach, urging the government not to "take their freedom away" when people are already ostracised.
He called for a shift towards community-based solutions, reflecting a move away from institutional care that has been occurring for decades. Experts argue this deinstitutionalisation process, without adequate community support systems, has contributed significantly to the number of people with complex needs ending up on the streets.
I think it's just really criminalising people .. a really lazy, inhumane solution. We could do much better.
Government 'has misread Aotearoa'
The sentiment that the policy is out of step with public values was a common theme. Reverend Amber Leonard Schoss, a community chaplain for the Anglican Diocese who has experienced homelessness herself, said the government may have made a political miscalculation. "I think perhaps the government has misread Aotearoa on this one, because we're people that when it's hard, we turn up for each other," she said.
She acknowledged the economic pressures facing many Kiwis, with concerns over food and fuel costs, but insisted that "the most vulnerable people have been set up to being in a vulnerable position by predictable and preventable policies. I think New Zealand doesn't want that."
The Salvation Army was even more direct in its criticism. Head of social welfare Christina Taylor labelled the move-on orders as "horrendous". She warned the policy would disproportionately harm women, young people, the rainbow community, and those with significant mental health and addiction issues.
These concerns echo reports that the policy did not receive backing from either the Ministry of Housing or the Ministry of Justice, raising questions about its evidence base and potential consequences.
Calls for a proven, compassionate approach
Instead of punishment, advocates are pushing for investment in proven strategies like Housing First. This internationally recognised model, detailed by Housing First Aotearoa, prioritises getting people into stable housing immediately and then providing wrap-around support for other issues they may face.
Protesters argue that the cost of enforcing move-on orders through police time, court proceedings, and potential imprisonment far outweighs the investment required for compassionate, effective solutions. For many Wellingtonians, the struggle to make ends meet is becoming increasingly difficult, with rising costs for essentials like household water, making the prospect of financial hardship a reality for more and more families.
As breakfast was served to the remaining protesters on Wednesday morning, the message from the cathedral steps was one of unity and principle. Community leaders are not just asking for a policy reversal, but a fundamental change in approach.
Christina Taylor urged the government to "hit pause, come together, come up with something better."
