On Sunday 29 March, people from all over Tāmaki Makaurau will gather in the CBD to take action on the move-on orders.

People will meet at Aotea Square at 5pm for speeches and a rally, and then hīkoi to Ellen Melville where they will join with homeless whānau who have gathered there for Sunday Blessings. Here there will be shared kai and connection, activities, and getting organised against the move-on orders.

“Right now, with the rising cost of living, rising rents and cuts to our services – our city is suffering. The answer is not to attack those who are struggling the most, the answer is to resource the things that will make our city thrive – secure housing, support services, and public spaces where everyone is at home,” says Aaron Hendry from Kick Back, an organisation working with homeless youth on Karangahape road.

“It’s clear that the Government has miscalculated how many people in our communities oppose the Move-on orders. We are seeing people all over our city speak out and stand up against the Move-on orders and instead call for real solutions - homes and dignity,” says Hendry.

“The proposed Move-on orders are an abhorrent, unconscionable response to an already marginalised community's hardship,” says Danielle LeGallais, founder of Sunday Blessings who provides kai and support to homeless whānau in Auckland CBD.

“By placing people in custody and clogging up the justice system, it is more expensive financially and socially than investing in longer term solutions that support every person in Aotearoa to thrive, not just survive. Proper investment in public housing and wrap-around supports should be the government’s response to homelessness, not this anti-poor, anti-brown, and displacement proposal,” says LeGallais.

While the move-on orders are new, homeless whānau are already being targeted in the CBD.

“This heartless move by Ministers Goldsmith and Mitchell attacks our street whānau’s right to exist. The majority of support services are clustered together in the CBD and around Karangahape road. Our street whānau are travelling on foot, sometimes carrying everything they have on their backs. To get ‘moved on’ from these places pushes people away from where the support is, meaning missed meals and less safety. Police should not have the power to prevent people from trying to stay alive.” says Dr. Emmy Rākete from People Against Prisons Aotearoa (PAPA).

Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga Tāmaki Makaurau (Te Ohu), an alliance of Tāmaki-based union, faith and community organisations are supporting the organising of the community event taking place from 6pm at the Ellen Melville Centre. Xavier Walsh is Co-chair of Te Ohu, and says:

“In response to move-on orders, we are organising a community event at 6pm on the 29th March at the Sunday Blessing foodbank located at the Ellen Melville Centre. We’ll be demonstrating how we should treat our community who are sleeping rough; whanaungatanga, empathy, and understanding. We'll be sharing food, so come along to share in community and aroha. We're bringing dessert!"

“With so many strong voices and leaders, our alliance is a meaningful advocate for change in this space. We know that working together makes it possible to push back when governments make the wrong decision, like the move-on policy. There is a better way to address homelessness than a homelessness ban." says Walsh.

Media are invited to join a press stand up at 5.45pm at the Ellen Melville Centre.

© Scoop Media