Council staff and police have targeted people living in cars at Tauranga’s Sulphur Point after complaints about antisocial behaviour and roaming dogs.
By Ayla Yeoman of Local Democracy Reporting
Dog control and vehicle licensing fines were issued during Monday’s operation.
One homeless person, Samantha Bradley, provided a video of a vehicle being towed. Her own dog, Marley, was taken from her because it was not registered.
She said this made her feel unsafe, and she had nowhere else to go.
Tauranga City Council said the enforcement followed months of engagement, warnings and complaints from nearby residents about antisocial behaviour and was carried out under national legislation.
Homeless advocates say the action has increased fear and anxiety within the community, pushing people into other suburban and public spaces without adequate support.
The operation also comes amid wider national debate, with the Government proposing new police "move-on" powers targeting rough sleeping and antisocial behaviour – legislation that homeless advocates strongly oppose.
Affected woman speaks out
"There's zero places to go," Bradley told Local Democracy Reporting.
She said displacement was pushing people into suburban areas and places near schools.
Bradley said she was a kiwifruit orchard supervisor before Covid-19. She wanted to work her way out of homelessness, but was struggling due to the number of fines she had received.
She said three new fines brought her total to about $1400.
These fines were for her unregistered Subaru car and unregistered dog.
“I’m trying to get back to being a legit person. I’m in the process of doing my KiwiSaver application.”
She questioned where she could legally go with an unregistered car.
She suggested allowing vehicle-dwellers to stay overnight and leave in the morning, to reduce disruption while giving homeless people a lawful place to sleep.
Council outlines its position
Tauranga City Council regulatory and community services general manager Sarah Omundsen said the council approached the situation with care and consideration.
She said the site had attracted repeated complaints about antisocial behaviour, rubbish and roaming dogs.
She said some of the people concerned had been occupying parts of the reserve for more than a year.
“Council staff engaged with eight individuals in relation to issues involving vehicles and/or dogs.
“During these conversations, people were advised that any unregistered dogs could be impounded and any immobile vehicles may be removed.”
She said three dogs were impounded. One dog was released the same day after being registered.
She said people at the site had been repeatedly warned that enforcement would follow if vehicles remained illegal or dogs unregistered.
She said fines were issued under national dog control and vehicle licensing laws.
This is a national legal requirement, and no written or verbal warning is required; however, council staff verbally advised individuals of these requirements "on multiple occasions".
"We understand the very real challenges facing people experiencing hardship or homelessness, and this situation is not taken lightly.
"We encourage any person experiencing hardship or homelessness to contact support services, such as the Ministry of Social Development, which can help connect people with the appropriate support and accommodation options."
She said the people were not directed to move to any specific location.
"Some individuals chose to leave the area to avoid potential enforcement action."
The council, in a statement, did not answer Local Democracy Reporting questions on vehicles being towed and how many fines were issued.
Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor said he had been leading the push to get the area "sorted out" since before Christmas.
"Essentially, it was becoming a very dysfunctional area."
He cited dog attacks, mental health issues and other serious incidents.
He said about 15-20 people were living in their cars in the area and they had been there for several years.
A "wrap-around" group planned the removal earlier this year, but the Mauao landslide delayed action.
Taylor said the overflow carpark had been used as a camp during summer despite signs showing this was not allowed.
He said this was not enforced, but the carpark would shut for winter.
He said a similar operation happened at Arataki Park three weeks ago, after complaints from residents.
He said several other places were on the council’s radar.
Tauranga Marina manager Greg Prescott said the marina had been pushing the council to move homeless people from Keith Allen Drive.
He cited alcohol and drug use, abuse and mess.
"We have a lot of foreign folks coming into the marina from all over the world, and it's a really bad look."
Police acting area commander Inspector Zane Smith said staff were present to support council staff and did not intervene.
Homeless people anxious: Advocate
Awhina House co-chairperson Angela Wallace said the community involved was feeling anxious, unwanted and targeted.
"They’re on edge that their stuff is going to be all packed up and taken away or that they’ll be forced to move on," she said.
"They're already in a position where they've got nothing."
She said people who had been moved on were turning up at suburban neighbourhoods and community centres, spreading the issue into other areas.
She said it would have been great if there had been some support for them rather than "some seemingly harsh actions being taken to move them on".
"I feel for her [Bradley] because she’s a single woman living in her car. She's quite vulnerable.
"The only protection she has is her dog; it's been taken from her."
Wallace said the Government should abandon the move-on order legislation it proposed earlier this year.
The Government has proposed giving police move-on orders that would target disruptive, disorderly or intimidating behaviour, rough sleeping and begging.
It will amend the Summary Offences Act, and the police will be provided with the power to issue the orders once the legislation has been passed.
The legislation has not yet been introduced to Parliament.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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