Move-on powers will restore standards and safety to town centres

“New Zealanders have a right to feel safe walking down their own main street,” says ACT MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar, welcoming the announcement of move-on orders for police officers.

“Being down on your luck is not a crime, and it should never be treated as one.

“But being in a tough situation does not give anyone the right to stop others safely going about their business. Harassment, aggressive behaviour, blocking entrances, threatening language, public disorder – that is what needs to be addressed.

“You don’t have the right to harass a woman closing up her shop on a winter evening. You don’t have the right to make elderly shoppers or young families feel unsafe in broad daylight.

“Retailers have been on the front line of this behaviour. Many have raised these concerns with me directly. They are tired of calling for help and being told nothing can be done until a more serious offence occurs.

“Move-on powers are about restoring basic standards of decency in shared public spaces. They give police a practical tool to intervene early.

“This will be welcomed on main streets all over the country. Shop owners, hospitality workers, and customers deserve to know that antisocial behaviour won’t simply be tolerated in the name of looking compassionate.

“At the same time, ACT is clear that these powers must be used to target malicious and intimidating behaviour, not peaceful protest or lawful expression. In a free society, people have every right to speak their minds and gather lawfully. The focus must remain on conduct that impedes people from going about their business.”