Story perspectives
Calls to Criminalize Homelessness Spark Controversy in Parliament
11/5/2025
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Story summary
- Ministers and National Party MPs push to ban begging and rough sleeping in city centers.
- Police Minister Mark Mitchell confirms discussions to empower law enforcement to remove homeless individuals from urban areas.
- Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has not clarified stance; no Cabinet decisions have been made.
- Critics including Labour leader Chris Hipkins say criminalizing homelessness is misguided.
- Housing advocates warn such measures displace the problem, not solve it.
