Protesters in Auckland oppose new police orders to move homeless people, calling them punitive and ineffective without housing solutions.

Auckland residents, including activists and former homeless individuals, protested the government’s new move-on orders allowing police to relocate rough sleepers and people displaying disorderly behavior from public spaces, with around 30 people staging a sit-in on Karangahape Road. Carrying signs like “homes not handcuffs,” they criticized the policy as punitive, arguing it criminalizes poverty without offering housing solutions and risks cutting off access to vital services like the Auckland City Mission’s Homeground. Protesters and advocates, including Mission CEO Helen Robinson, urged prioritizing housing and support over enforcement. Prime Minister Chris Luxon defended the orders as necessary for public safety, but critics called them unjust, especially with potential fines up to $2,000 or jail time for those without resources.