The Government has announced new “move along” powers, allowing Police to direct people to leave public spaces in certain circumstances.
At first glance, this may appear to be a practical response to visible poverty, rough sleeping, or public complaints. But when we look more closely, we must ask a deeper question:
Are we addressing harm - or simply moving it out of sight?
At the Len Reynolds Trust, our vision is a Waikato where all children and young people are secure, resilient and thriving. We are committed to social equity, to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and to championing change where injustice and inequity exist .
The introduction of move along laws requires us — and all of us in the philanthropic and community sector — to reflect carefully on what kind of society we are shaping.
The Impact on Children and Young People
When people are moved on from public spaces, it is rarely in isolation from broader issues. Rough sleeping, housing insecurity, mental distress, poverty, family violence, addiction — these are complex, interwoven challenges.
Children and young people are often directly or indirectly affected.
Displacing whānau does not create safety or stability. It can increase trauma, disrupt access to support services, and deepen mistrust of institutions. For rangatahi already navigating inequity, being “moved along” can reinforce a message that they do not belong.
Belonging matters. Connection matters. Stability matters.
If we are serious about intergenerational wellbeing, we must ensure that policy responses do not further marginalise those already experiencing disadvantage.
A Te Tiriti Lens
Applying a Te Tiriti o Waitangi perspective means asking who is most likely to be impacted — and why .
We know that Māori are disproportionately represented in homelessness statistics and in interactions with the justice system. Any expansion of discretionary enforcement powers must be considered in light of this reality.
As a Trust, we acknowledge our own privilege and our responsibility to challenge inequities rather than entrench them . Policies that increase the visibility of enforcement without increasing access to housing, mental health support, and whānau-centred services risk widening existing disparities.
Social Cohesion or Social Exclusion?
Our strategy commits us to promoting social cohesion and supporting initiatives that actively confront discrimination and marginalisation .
Move along laws may reduce visible tension in certain spaces. But social cohesion is not achieved by removing people from public view. It is built through inclusive solutions, safe housing, accessible services, and genuine dialogue.
Public spaces belong to all of us.
The question is not whether communities should feel safe — of course they should. The question is how we achieve that safety in a way that upholds dignity, rights, and mana.
Moving Beyond Symptoms
If rough sleeping is increasing, what is driving that?
If people are congregating in public spaces, what alternatives do they have?
If communities feel unsafe, what preventative and relational approaches are available?
As a proactive ally in advocacy and leadership, we believe philanthropy has a role to play in shifting the conversation . That includes supporting Māori-led solutions, investing in mental health and housing responses, and backing movement builders who are working toward systemic change.
We are committed to challenging power dynamics and supporting long-term solutions rather than short-term optics .
What We Will Be Watching
As these laws are implemented, we will be paying attention to:
Disproportionate impacts on Māori and young people
Effects on access to services
The experiences of community organisations on the ground
Whether enforcement is matched by investment in prevention and support
We encourage open, respectful community dialogue about what safety truly means — and for whom.
A Final Reflection
Len and Ada Reynolds believed in generosity, education, and leaving things better than they found them. Their legacy calls us to look beyond surface-level solutions and invest in long-term wellbeing.
Moving people along does not move poverty along. It does not move trauma along. It does not move inequity along.
If we want a Waikato where children and young people thrive, we must be courageous enough to address root causes — even when that work is complex, uncomfortable, or politically contested.
We remain committed to standing alongside those working for dignity, equity, and systemic change.