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October 27, 2023
Māori warden says outsiders are causing rough sleeping disorder
Gideon Porter
Posted On October 27, 2023
Māori wardens patrolling the Auckland central business district say it is outsiders, not local rough-sleepers or homeless that are causing the most problems.
Blaine Hoete, the Operating Manager for over 60 Māori Wardens in the CBD, says outsiders are doing most of the intimidating begging in the streets, and anti-social behaviours.
He says alcohol and drugs are always the driving factors – and they’ve noticed an upsurge in people coming into the CBD from other parts of wider Auckland to take advantage of visitors and tourists.
“The enticement of that fast money, ie – begging – because we’re now into the high tourist term… and just the other day we had three ships – huge ships – come in,” he says.
Blaine Hoete says its not just Māori, and they do try to help everyone get off the streets – but that is not easy without greater government support.
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