Policing Amendment Bill 2026 — new police powers to move and detain
The Policing Amendment Bill would give police broader powers to direct people to move on and to detain them in certain situations, part of the coalition government's law-and-order agenda championed by Police Minister Mark Mitchell. On 9 July 2026 the justice select committee reported the bill back to Parliament, recommending by majority that it be passed, but with added safeguards around surveillance and privacy and a six-month delay before it takes effect.
What the committee recommended
The committee proposed clarifying that police remain bound by the Privacy Act and cannot make recordings where a surveillance device warrant would normally be required. It said the longer lead-in time would let police make IT changes, refine operational guidance and train staff, and also make up for the fact the bill was introduced without public consultation, including with Māori and child and youth advocates. It further recommended an independent statutory review of the law three years after it commences.
Where the parties stand
The government and police say the powers are needed to deal with public disorder and intimidation. Labour and the Greens remain opposed, and the Privacy Commissioner and lobby group Pillar NZ have raised concerns about surveillance and privacy. As reported by RNZ.
This overview is summarised by AI from public sources. It may contain errors and is a guide, not the definitive record — we welcome corrections.
Key milestones
Bill clears select committee with privacy limits; start delayed six months
RNZ reported that the justice select committee reported the Policing Amendment Bill back to Parliament, recommending by majority that it pass. The committee proposed extra safeguards — confirming police stay subject to the Privacy Act and cannot record where a surveillance device warrant would be needed — and a review of the law three years after it starts. It also recommended delaying commencement by six months rather than one, to give police time for IT changes, guidance and training, and to make up for the lack of consultation with the public, Māori and child and youth advocates before the bill was introduced. Labour, the Greens, the Privacy Commissioner and lobby group Pillar NZ oppose or have concerns about the bill; the government and police say the new powers are needed.