Manaaki Rangatahi Advocates for Vulnerable Youth as Lawmakers Consider Move-on Order Age Change

Advocates for rangatahi and vulnerable communities are expressing a sense of hope following reports that the government may exempt young people from proposed new police powers. Manaaki Rangatahi, a youth housing and homelessness collective, has been active in voicing concerns over the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill, which seeks to grant police the power to move people on for rough sleeping or begging. While the collective initially expressed outrage at the impact the legislation would have on kāinga kore whānau in urban areas across Aotearoa, recent developments suggest Parliament’s justice committee will recommend lifting the age limit for these orders from 14 to 18. Danielle Marks (Te Arawa, Tūwharetoa), the Waikato regional co-ordinator for Manaaki Rangatahi, has been a key voice in the movement to ensure the rights and wellbeing of young people are protected under the proposed law change. Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson told RNZ on Thursday, 3 September 2026, that excluding 14- to 17-year-olds from the bill would be a significant first step. Robinson noted that if a young person is rough sleeping, the immediate response should be one of care rather than displacement. She described the potential age change as a moment of hope that officials are listening to evidence provided by those working on the front lines of homelessness. Manaaki Rangatahi, which aims to prevent and end youth homelessness, continues to advocate for long-term solutions rather than punitive measures. The collective and other community leaders, including the Police Association and Retail NZ, have urged the government to adopt the committee's recommendation. Robinson emphasized that addressing survival behaviours like begging and rough sleeping requires increased access to emergency housing and support services to ensure all whānau have a safe place to stay.