New Zealand's rules on street art, begging and sleeping
Everyone in New Zealand has the right to move freely, in other words, you have the right to go anywhere you want and live where you want to live. Unless you are in a particular situation, such as "imprisonment" and "potential criminal offences", the New Zealand Government has good reason to restrict the right to "free movement".
Although New Zealand is not "federal", regulations established by city councils (regional councils) in different parts of New Zealand may affect an individual's right to do certain things in public places. For example, begging, street art and sleeping on the street may be restricted in certain areas and under specific parliamentary regulations. In other words, the so-called "restrictions" can only be expulsion or good-said advice, respect for the individual's right to freedom of movement is very important, otherwise it may violate the law (the law is bigger than the rules and regulations of local councils);
Begging on the streets of New Zealand
In most public places in New Zealand, it is legal to beg for food or ask for money unless there is a clear prohibition; Generally speaking, beggars simply sit quietly on the sidewalk without prejudice to the position of others.
However, if the beggars are on a high road, they can be considered "minor offences" under New Zealand's Improvised Policing Act if they do not follow the advice of the police. It would constitute a minor criminal offence if beggars continued to turn a deaf ear after warnings from police officers, unreasonably interfering with passers-by and encroaching on normal passage space. The police can arrest beggars for this and take them to court. Convictions in court can result in fines of up to NZ$1,000.
Here's information on begging rules in some of New Zealand's major cities:
The Oakland City Council enacted the Public Safety and Obstruction Ordinance (2013), which prohibits begging in a manner that "may pose a threat to or disturb anyone."
Hamilton City Council has the Public Places Safety Ordinance (2014), which prohibits "disgusting behaviour", which includes begging "for unreasonable interference with the peace, comfort or tranquillity of any reasonable person who may cause harassment, alarm or distress to any reasonable person"
The City of Napier's Public Places Regulations (2014) require permission from the council to beg or sell on public roads
Wellington City Council has made it clear that it will not introduce anti-begging regulations (allowing begging in any public place)
Christchurch City Council abandoned plans to introduce anti-begging legislation in 2015 (as in Wellington, it allows begging in any public place)
Taoranga City Council regulations prohibit begging within five metres of the entrance to "retail premises" such as shops, cafes, restaurants or bars. However, the regulation was repealed on 27 February 2020 and is no longer in force.
Selling art on the streets of New Zealand
Street performances are allowed in most parts of New Zealand (i.e. in public and as a means of "getting rich"), but there are usually some restrictions on this in different regional regulations. These rules are usually about how long you can stay in one place, when you can sell art in a day, and where you can sell art. In addition, some potentially dangerous selling to the public is banned, such as performing "Spitfire", which must be a fire hazard, or performing "Swallowing the Sword", which would cause Health and Safety Issue to do the same.
If artists need to "change their skills for money", make sure you don't put pressure on onlookers or hinder those watching them, let's not insult those who don't give money to see them in vain; New Zealanders are usually friendly, tolerant of street performers, and willing to give a few copper plates or even paper tickets as an incentive. In addition, "child labor" is not allowed, under the age of 14 artists, need to obtain permission from their parents (guardians) to legally "sell art", but onlookers may call the police to report.
Sleeping on the streets of New Zealand
New Zealand law gives people the right to sleep on streets, parks, covered passageways, etc. if homeless, and only a handful of district councils prohibit sleeping in specific places.
Nelson, for example, has a rule that no one can sleep on public trails or roads at night. In Hamilton, North Island, street sleepers are not allowed to use public footpaths or fall asleep in places that can "cause obstacles".
Although New Zealand is not "federal", regulations established by city councils (regional councils) in different parts of New Zealand may affect an individual's right to do certain things in public places. For example, begging, street art and sleeping on the street may be restricted in certain areas and under specific parliamentary regulations. In other words, the so-called "restrictions" can only be expulsion or good-said advice, respect for the individual's right to freedom of movement is very important, otherwise it may violate the law (the law is bigger than the rules and regulations of local councils);
Begging on the streets of New Zealand
In most public places in New Zealand, it is legal to beg for food or ask for money unless there is a clear prohibition; Generally speaking, beggars simply sit quietly on the sidewalk without prejudice to the position of others.
However, if the beggars are on a high road, they can be considered "minor offences" under New Zealand's Improvised Policing Act if they do not follow the advice of the police. It would constitute a minor criminal offence if beggars continued to turn a deaf ear after warnings from police officers, unreasonably interfering with passers-by and encroaching on normal passage space. The police can arrest beggars for this and take them to court. Convictions in court can result in fines of up to NZ$1,000.
Here's information on begging rules in some of New Zealand's major cities:
The Oakland City Council enacted the Public Safety and Obstruction Ordinance (2013), which prohibits begging in a manner that "may pose a threat to or disturb anyone."
Hamilton City Council has the Public Places Safety Ordinance (2014), which prohibits "disgusting behaviour", which includes begging "for unreasonable interference with the peace, comfort or tranquillity of any reasonable person who may cause harassment, alarm or distress to any reasonable person"
The City of Napier's Public Places Regulations (2014) require permission from the council to beg or sell on public roads
Wellington City Council has made it clear that it will not introduce anti-begging regulations (allowing begging in any public place)
Christchurch City Council abandoned plans to introduce anti-begging legislation in 2015 (as in Wellington, it allows begging in any public place)
Taoranga City Council regulations prohibit begging within five metres of the entrance to "retail premises" such as shops, cafes, restaurants or bars. However, the regulation was repealed on 27 February 2020 and is no longer in force.
Selling art on the streets of New Zealand
Street performances are allowed in most parts of New Zealand (i.e. in public and as a means of "getting rich"), but there are usually some restrictions on this in different regional regulations. These rules are usually about how long you can stay in one place, when you can sell art in a day, and where you can sell art. In addition, some potentially dangerous selling to the public is banned, such as performing "Spitfire", which must be a fire hazard, or performing "Swallowing the Sword", which would cause Health and Safety Issue to do the same.
If artists need to "change their skills for money", make sure you don't put pressure on onlookers or hinder those watching them, let's not insult those who don't give money to see them in vain; New Zealanders are usually friendly, tolerant of street performers, and willing to give a few copper plates or even paper tickets as an incentive. In addition, "child labor" is not allowed, under the age of 14 artists, need to obtain permission from their parents (guardians) to legally "sell art", but onlookers may call the police to report.
Sleeping on the streets of New Zealand
New Zealand law gives people the right to sleep on streets, parks, covered passageways, etc. if homeless, and only a handful of district councils prohibit sleeping in specific places.
Nelson, for example, has a rule that no one can sleep on public trails or roads at night. In Hamilton, North Island, street sleepers are not allowed to use public footpaths or fall asleep in places that can "cause obstacles".
