18 September 2026

Retail NZ, the peak body representing New Zealand retailers, remains concerned newly-passed move-on orders will not solve the problem behaviours facing some of our shopfronts, and will just shift issues from one retail location to another. 

The Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill has today passed under urgency and will come into force next month. 

Retail NZ Chief Executive, Carolyn Young, says while it is encouraging there have been changes to the Bill as it was originally drafted, the new law may not fix the underlying issues, rather, it could just move the problem elsewhere. 

“We are heartened that anyone under 18 will not be covered in this legislation, that any begging must be considered unreasonable to be included, and that anyone moved-on can return to the area for essential reasons,” Carolyn Young says. 

“However, it is disappointing that the focus remains on people, rather than types of behaviour. People that rough sleep or beg are not inherently disorderly, disruptive or threatening, and moving them on will not help their circumstances. We’re concerned without proper support, the issues facing retailers will just transfer from one shopping area to the next.” 

Retail NZ says there are many frustrated retailers operating in urban centres who are faced with people being disorderly or threatening outside their stores, but while police already have powers to address those actions, they are often too stretched to attend. 

“We want Police to have the tools and resources they need to keep our retailers and communities safe, but currently they struggle to respond to many reports of disruptive, abusive and unsafe behaviour – even when the person is in breach of trespass orders. It is not clear how the new move-on orders will change that situation,” Ms Young says. 

“However, Retail NZ is committed to working with Police to find a way to ensure there is appropriate intervention for problem behaviours outside our retail spaces, including engaging wraparound services, to put a stop to the actions, rather than shifting them to a new location.” 

Retail NZ is part of the Move-on Orders Advisory Group, where we’re working alongside police and social agencies to ensure that these new measures are implemented where necessary, and with the support, dignity and respect that we would all expect. 

Retail NZ will be closely monitoring the annual reports on how the move-on orders are being implemented.

For further information or to set up an interview, please contact Carolyn Young on 021 449 452

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