Wellington City Missioner the Rev Murray Edridge has released a video challenge to all political parties following the Mission's question for Parliamentarians was projected onto the Beehive. The Wellington City Mission is challenging any incoming Government to find real solutions to rough sleeping rather than simply “hiding our problems”.

The Wellington City Mission, whose staff and supporters know and care about the people who are rough sleeping around their city, want the Government’s new Move-on Orders legislation firmly on the agenda for change, as New Zealand heads towards the 7 November general election.

The Mission is urging all political parties and members of Parliament to state their position on the issue of Police powers to move people who have not committed any crime, and commit to removing rough sleeping from the Move-on Orders legislation.

The legislation, which was passed under urgency last month, includes provisions that allow Police to issue move-on orders in response to a person who is rough sleeping.

"This inclusion fails to make the critical distinction between people’s behaviours and people’s circumstances." said the City Missioner today.

The Wellington City Mission, along with many others, have warned that this provision disadvantages the most vulnerable in our community and risks criminalising homelessness, treating it as a matter of public disorder, rather than circumstances requiring an effective social response.

Every day, the Wellington City Mission works alongside people experiencing homelessness in their community and is committed to looking at effective social responses to rough sleeping. 

"We will continue to engage constructively with Government and other agencies on measures that improve public safety while ensuring people experiencing homelessness are supported and protected." they said today.

The Wellington City Mission is a social service agency of the Anglican Diocese of Wellington and has been walking alongside whānau and individuals in the Wellington region for more than 120 years.

They offer a wide range of services – from transitional housing and food support to community and peer support programmes – all designed to address the underlying challenges people face and create lasting, positive change.

"Everything we do is grounded in dignity, choice, and the belief that everyone deserves empowerment and fullness of life." said Rev Murray Edridge today.

"We’re here for anyone who needs support, working together to build a stronger, more connected community for all."

For more info on the Wellington City Mission go to: Wellington City Mission