PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHEmpowering police to move along beggars and rough sleepers would be "punishing the poor" and sweep Dunedin’s homelessness problem under the carpet, a city councillor says. The government announced yesterday it would empower police to issue move-on orders to deal with disorderly behaviour in public places. They would also cover "all forms of begging", rough sleeping and "behaviour indicating an intent to inhabit a public place". Breaching a move-on order would be punishable by a maximum $2000 fine or up to three months’ imprisonment. Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker said she had "very mixed feelings" about giving these powers to police.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 23, 2026 08:03 UTC