Wellington city missioner 'delighted' with police move-on order approach
Wellington's city missioner, Murray Edridge, initially opposed new move-on orders targeting rough sleepers and beggars but now expresses delight with how police are implementing them, mitigating potential harm. He still hopes future legislation will exclude these vulnerable groups, despite appreciating the police's current approach.
Why it matters
This article highlights the real-world impact of new legislation on vulnerable populations and the nuanced role of law enforcement in its interpretation and application, showcasing an evolving perspective on a controversial social policy.
<p>Wellington's city missioner says he is deeply apprecitative of the way police have introduced move-on orders, saying they are mitigating harm the legislation can cause.</p> <p><b>By Sammy Carter of </b><a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/2327984/wellington-city-missioner-delighted-with-police-s-approach-to-move-on-orders" target="_blank"><b>RNZ</b></a></p> <p>Move-on orders, which allow police to move on people with anti-social behaviour or rough sleepers, <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/11/03/how-many-move-on-orders-have-been-issued-since-new-law-came-into-effect/" target="_blank">came into effect</a> just over a week ago.</p> <p>Twenty-nine <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/23/move-on-orders-kick-in-on-sunday-but-questions-still-remain/" target="_blank">known orders</a> have been issued so far, the most being in Wellington, followed by Auckland and then Canterbury.</p> <p>At this stage no orders had been issued for people who were begging in a way that unreasonably interfered or for rough sleeping.</p> <p><b></b><a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/player/newsclip/can-you-be-arrested-for-refusing-to-move" target="_blank"><b>Can you be arrested for refusing to move?
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