Communities Across Aotearoa Join The National Day Of Action To Move On The Move-On Orders

Wednesday, 25 March 2026, 10:00 am
Press Release: ActionStation

On Sunday 29 March, communities all over Aotearoa will take action - united together against the Move-on orders. There will be activations in Whangārei, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Tauranga, Te Whanganui a Tara Wellington, Waiharakeke Blenheim, Ōtautahi Christchurch, and Ōtepoti Dunedin.

In Whangārei people will meet at Laurie Hall Park - Whangārei (Farmers Carpark) 12PM - 2PM for a peaceful hīkoi and pledge to be a kaitiaki of protection for tangata.

“In Whangārei and across Te Tai Tokerau, we are seeing the real impacts of housing insecurity, increasing pressure on support services, and deepening inequity. Move On Orders are not a solution, they are a pathway to criminalising people simply for being visible in our streets and public spaces, instead of responding to the complex realities they face,” says Te Hiwi Preston, local organiser.

“This is not justice in Aotearoa. It is displacement that shifts both the issue and the blame, while failing to address the root causes. If this Government is serious about justice for all in Te Tai Tokerau, it must move beyond short-term responses and invest in long-term, tangata-centred solutions. That means upholding the rangatiratanga and mana of our people and ensuring hapū, iwi, and local communities have a genuine voice in decisions that affect them and strengthening connection rather than undermining it,” says Preston

“There is no Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice in this policy. There is no meaningful strategy to uphold the mana of our tangata, whānau, hapū, and iwi. Our mokopuna deserve leadership that reflects both strength, humility and leadership willing to address the root causes and deliver real, lasting solutions,” says Preston

In Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, people will meet at Aotea Square at 5pm, followed by a hīkoi to Ellen Melville to meet with homeless whānau and activate the space until midnight.

“People around the country are speaking out and standing up united against the Move-on orders. We have a chance here to build an even stronger movement towards housing justice which ensures homeless whānau and all our communities have access to housing, support and dignity,” says Aaron Hendry, one of the lead organisers in Tāmaki Makaurau.

In Tauranga, people will gather 1-3pm, at the Holy Trinity lawn, 215 Devonport Rd. There will be kai, sign making, speakers, mobile shower & laundry unit and more.

“We're already seeing rough sleepers being moved on in Tauranga - even before the Move-On orders were announced. Encampments are being cleared out and tensions are escalating. Our community agencies are reporting displaced whānau turning up on their doorstep seeking help and basic facilities for self-care," say Angela Wallace, Co-Chair of Awhina House, which provides transitional housing for women in Tauranga Moana.

The Tauranga action is being supported by Awhina House, Jesus Safe Haven, Holy Trinity Tauranga, Merivale Community Centre, Under the Stars, Good Neighbour, Tauranga Māori Wardens, Tūmanako, Gate Pā Community Centre, Te Paiaka, Ōkahukura Studio.

In Te Whanganui a Tara, Te Aro Eats is hosting a koha BBQ lunch at their stall at Cuba Dupa, 11-2pm to have real conversations with local community leaders, councillors, and advocates, about what the potential Move-On orders mean for the people we all work alongside every day.

“By showing up, people are saying: we care. We want to show the power of what it means to work together and support people experiencing rough-sleeping, addiction and pain. We want to show aroha and positivity in the face of cruelty. For those who come, there will be space to learn more about how to get involved, whether that is volunteering, donating, or simply understanding more about the challenges our homeless and vulnerable communities face,” says organisers of Te Aro Eats at CubaDupa

Common Grace is also hosting an overnight vigil at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul for a compassionate response to homelessness. This action is supported by the Anglican Diocese of Wellington, Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington, Wellington City Mission, The Salvation Army, St Paul’s Lutheran Church, St John's in the City Presbyterian Church and the Methodist Alliance.

In Ōtautahi Christchurch, people will be gathering in Latimer Square, 11am to 1pm for speeches, opportunities to write letters to MPs, connect with the community and share kai.

"Instead of punishing homeless whānau in our city, we should be providing housing and support. In Ōtautahi Christchurch, we've seen the Government sell off 150 state homes since July last year, and cancel the construction of 373 new state homes that could have provided secure housing for people. We want to see real solutions to the housing crisis," says Matthew Debreceny, local organiser.

In Ōtepoti Dunedin, people will be gathering in the heart of the city centre, the Octagon from 11am-1pm to write letters to government MPs asking them to draw on their compassion and push back on the introduction of this callous legislation.

“We have a window of opportunity to demonstrate the depth of public opposition to this cruel and ineffective legislation before this bill is introduced to Parliament. We should seize this moment to make our elected representatives aware that this is unacceptable and show our support for social housing and outreach services,” says local organiser Christopher Hawkins.

“There is currently no provider of the Housing First approach south of Christchurch and there is only one outreach worker among the homeless community in Dunedin, whose funding will expire later this year. We can help to put the spotlight on these issues,” says Hawkins.

Other actions around the country include:

• Waiharakeke Blenheim where people will be taking action 2-3.30pm at The Forum, in Blenheim CBD. This will be a chance for connection, kōrero & kaputī

Some of the solutions people are calling for are to invest in outreach and integrated service centres, invest in immediate housing services, implement Duty to Assist legislation, roll back the emergency housing reforms, increase public housing, and support kaupapa Māori housing solutions.

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