An advocate for the homeless says he has a solution in Tāmaki Makaurau that could work to provide housing for those that need it most.
Te Puea Marae spokesperson Hurimoana Dennis says plans to build housing at the marae in Mangere could be a solution to the governments proposed changes to give Police ‘move-on’ orders to rough sleepers in the CBD.
This week the Government announced proposed changes to the Summary Offences Act. It would provide police with the power to issue move-on orders as a tool to deal with disorderly behaviour in public places.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said “New Zealanders are fair-minded people, and our culture is one where we seek to help those who are in need, but that doesn’t mean we should accept our city centres, particularly our showcase tourist spots, becoming places of intimidation, and dysfunction,”
Dennis says that the proposed changes do nothing to address what he says is the core issue of rough sleepers “A lot of them have mental health issues, they’re poor and don’t have housing. They need wrap around services to support them through those issues”
Te Puea Marae are currently in a process to build housing at their marae complex. In 2016 the marae famously opened its doors to homeless whānau from Auckland and were inundated for requests of help. Dennis was the driving force behind the initiative and continues doing similar work to this day.
He said “We have plans to build housing right here at the marae”
However the government seems focused on pushing the changes through “Our main streets and town centres have been blighted by disruption and disturbance. Businesses are declining as some bad behaviour goes unchecked. It needs to stop.” Mr Goldsmith says.
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell says “This is about public safety and providing our frontline with additional enforcement powers to ensure the public can feel and are safe,”
The penalty for breaching a move-on order will be a maximum $2,000 fine or up to three months imprisonment. These amendments to the Summary of Offences Act will be subject to a legislative process before coming into effect.