16 July 2026
Retail NZ is concerned proposed legislation that would allow police to move people on is too focused on groups of people, rather than problem behaviours that can occur outside retail stores.
Retail NZ will make its oral submission to the Justice Committee on the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill on Friday, and Chief Executive, Carolyn Young, says while its important police have the tools they need to act on problem behaviour, this legislation needs some work.
“Retailers in many urban centres are frustrated by ongoing problems with people outside their stores acting in a disruptive, disorderly, or threatening manner, which can make staff and customers feel unsafe,” Ms Young says. “We absolutely agree that police should have all the tools they require to act on these sorts of behaviours around retail and other premises.”
“However, the Bill, as currently drafted, includes clauses that single out begging and rough sleeping. People that rough sleep or beg, are not inherently disorderly or disruptive, and problem behaviour can be carried out by anyone, regardless of their financial or housing situation.”
In addition to wanting to see those clauses removed, Ms Young says Retail NZ also holds concerns that the legislation will just move people from one retail location to another without addressing the underlying cause of any issues.
“If people who are rough sleeping or begging are asked to move on, they’ll likely just move to neighbouring streets or suburbs. Without appropriate intervention and wraparound support, it could just end up being a cyclical problem where issues reemerge in front of retail premises every few weeks,” Ms Young says.
Carolyn Young also notes that with an already-stretched police force that already can’t attend many reports of retail crime, it is not clear how police would have the resources to use any new powers in this area.
The Police Association President, Steve Watt, says officers already have powers to address disorderly or offensive behaviours. Retail NZ shares his concern that these new move-on orders would place police in a role of managing the visible effects of homelessness, addiction, poor mental health, poverty, and youth vulnerability, rather than addressing the underlying causes.
“Retail crime and disorderly behaviours outside stores are both very real issues for retailers,” Ms Young says. “While we appreciate the Government’s focus on helping retail in this area, without additional resourcing for police and social services, it’s not clear how effective proposed changes in this Bill will be.”
For further information or to set up an interview please contact Carolyn Young on 021 449 452
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