Retail NZ has told the Justice Committee that the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill would give police powers to order rough sleepers or those as young as 14 displaying disorderly behaviour to move elsewhere. The bill, introduced by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith, amends the Summary Offences Act 1981 (RNZ).

Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young made a submission to MPs at the select committee on 16 July 2026, opposing aspects of the legislation. She told the committee that people who sleep rough or beg are not inherently disorderly or disruptive but may behave so at times due to addiction or mental health problems (RNZ).

Young called for the removal of clauses in the bill that target groups of people rather than behaviours. She expressed support for move-on orders being used as a breaker for genuinely disruptive behaviour in front of stores, while arguing this does not resolve underlying issues (RNZ).

National MP Rima Nakhle challenged Young at the select committee, saying South Auckland retailers reported feeling intimidated by beggars near their stores (RNZ).

Retail NZ had previously characterised the measure as partial relief. In a February 2026 media release titled 'Move-on orders seen as partial help for retail,' the organisation set out its position ahead of the select committee process (Retail NZ).

The Chairperson of the Justice Committee issued a press release on 22 May 2026 calling for public submissions on the bill. The closing date for submissions was 11.59pm on Thursday, 2 July 2026 (Parliament of New Zealand). The bill's official parliamentary identifier is 54SCJUST_SCF_27DD41AB-ACD3-4AFA-A59F-08DEB151B1C7 (Parliament of New Zealand).

Police Association President Steve Watt questioned the need for the bill, saying police officers are being asked to solve complex social issues that go well beyond their remit (NZ Police Association, 14 July 2026). Watt's comments echo earlier reporting from 30 June 2026 in which he raised similar concerns (RNZ).

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith stated on 30 June 2026 that the bill is being 'mischaracterised' (RNZ).

The broader context here is the tension between law enforcement tools and social policy. The bill gives police a directive power to move people, including 14-year-olds, from public spaces. Retail NZ's submission lands at the intersection of these concerns: the organisation supports the tool for genuinely disruptive behaviour but opposes provisions it says target identity rather than conduct. The Police Association's scepticism adds institutional weight to the argument that police are being asked to manage social issues that sit outside their core function.

The select committee process is now hearing from submitters. The submissions window closed on 2 July 2026, and the committee is working through oral submissions, including Retail NZ's evidence on 16 July 2026. The bill amends the Summary Offences Act 1981 and remains at the committee stage (Parliament of New Zealand, 27 May 2026).

For those working in politics, the dynamics to watch are threefold. First, whether the committee accepts Retail NZ's call to remove provisions targeting groups rather than behaviours. Second, how the Police Association's concerns influence the committee's report back to the House. Third, whether Goldsmith's 'mischaracterised' framing holds as submitters present their evidence in public. The bill's progress through the Justice Committee will indicate whether the government maintains its current position on including rough sleeping within the scope of move-on orders.