The coordinator of the Auckland Māori wardens, Mataora Smith, says respect and cultural exchange could make central Auckland safer at night.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell told a meeting of residents and business owners this week that anti-social behaviour was a big problem in the CBD.
Ms Smith says wardens who patrol Wynyard Quarter on Friday and Saturday night often have to help intoxicated patrons gather themselves and get home safely.
The wardens have relationships with security guards and other community patrol units across the city.
“We’re also very open to working with our Indian patrol workers, our Pacifica patrol workers, and they show us how their cultural differences are and better for us to understand. So it’s a two way collaboration with our groups and understanding of our cultural support,” she says.
Mataora Smith says Māori wardens approach people with aroha, manaaki and respect, no matter if they’re Māori or not.
