Whangārei rough sleepers braced for eviction as deadline arrives
The Whangārei District Council has paused the eviction of rough sleepers from a local sports ground to allow more time for social agencies to provide support. Mayor Ken Couper emphasized the need to balance public safety with the urgent housing needs of the displaced individuals.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between municipal public space management and the growing crisis of homelessness in New Zealand.
Controversial plans to evict rough sleepers from a disused sports ground in Whangārei have put on hold, mayor Ken Couper says.
The district council had ordered the 10 people staying in tents, makeshift shelters and a bus at the Old Boys' Rugby Club to leave by the end of today.
However, after visiting the site this afternoon, Couper said any further action had been paused.
That was to give people living there more time to work with social agencies on accommodation and support options.
Couper said the council would also continue to address its safety concerns at the site.
At its peak earlier this year, about 50 people - including teenage children - were living at the hilltop sportsground.
Couper said today's meeting with the residents was "very productive".
"All parties need to be congratulated for a constructive approach to the problem," he said.
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