About 150 people attended a Tauranga Day of Action protest against proposed new police powers to move on rough sleepers, beggars and those causing disruptions.

The peaceful protest was held on the lawn of Holy Trinity Church on Devonport Rd yesterday and was part of a nationwide campaign led by Auckland-based youth homelessness organisation Kickback.

The proposed new powers would allow police to order people to leave public places for up to 24 hours.

Tauranga homeless advocacy and voluntary support groups took part in the protest alongside homeless people and their supporters.

The protest featured a barbecue, sign-making, artwork, music, a poet and guest speakers.

Food was donated by Good Neighbour Aotearoa Trust and the Gurudwara Sikh Sangat.

About 150 people gathered on the lawns of Tauranga's Holy Trinity Church on March 29 to protest the Government's plans to introduce new move-on orders. Photo/ Rosalie Liddle-Crawford

Awhina House board co-chairwoman Angela Wallace said there was a “great turnout and a great vibe” with many unhoused whānau attending and sharing their experiences during the open-mic sessions.

Wallace said she and other voluntary service organisations believed the proposed legislation would “further victimise” vulnerable people while failing to address the root causes of homelessness.

She said 125 of those who attended signed a nationwide petition calling for “duty to assist” legislation to be introduced instead of the proposed new move-on powers.

This would require government agencies to prevent homelessness, support those experiencing it, and help people into secure, permanent housing.

The petition would be sent to Kickback and presented to the main political party leaders.

Awhina House board co-chairwoman Angela Wallace is concerned a proposed Government policy will “further victimise” vulnerable people. Photo / NZME

Wallace said attendees also wrote letters to local MPs Sam Uffindell and Tom Rutherford, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka, Social Development Minister Louise Upston and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

“We wanted to show our unhoused whānau and our streeties that they are well-supported, and stand against any legislation that further victimises them.”

Those who opted in would receive updates on the legislation’s progress and guidance on how to make a written submission against it, Wallace said.

Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 25 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.