Right:
Some consider these rules extreme; in fact, one business association head argued this policy is “not the Kiwi way.” However, I strongly believe it’s about time this policy was introduced.
Personally, I’ve had one too many unsettling encounters in the Hamilton city centre. You often see groups of people—mostly rough sleepers—especially at night. At times they follow or try to intimidate you. Realistically, what do you do in that moment to escape the situation? Who knows how they will react?
The reality is that some of these individuals are under the influence of heavy drugs, leading to unpredictable behaviour. I’ve even seen people openly using drugs on the street right outside shops. I believe move-on orders will be incredibly useful for situations like these.
There have been instances where people enter restaurants trying to get free food. Having personally experienced this, I know how uncomfortable it can be. For those who overstep, strict measures are necessary, especially when begging reaches the point of harassment.
I truly understand the hardships these people face. Ideally, the money collected from fines could be redirected to provide food, shelter, and rehab facilities. Ultimately, I believe this policy will lead to something positive, discouraging harmful activities while making our streets feel safer for everyone.
Left:
Move-on orders are like putting makeup over a pimple – they may make our cities look nicer, but they won’t solve the problem underneath.
Undeniably, violence and disruptions of the peace are becoming an increasing problem. But the answer is not an “out-of-sight, out of mind” solution.
Move-on orders are not going to mitigate issues of violence – they’re just going to alleviate the privileged from feelings of discomfort. Because let’s be honest, that’s what this is really all about. If it were really about making people safer, rough sleeping and begging would not be included in the list of offences that now warrant move-on orders. Rough sleeping itself does not “disrupt the peace”, but it does reveal that New Zealand is not as perfect as it seems, and it does invoke a sense of unease.
It’s natural for human beings to feel uncomfortable seeing other human beings without homes. That feeling comes from empathy. Rather than turning the other cheek, we should see our discomfort as a sign that something in our society needs to change. Not something that means we don’t have to see people suffer, but something that prevents people from suffering.
