KEY POINTS:
It started as a neighbourhood row, with accusations of Big Brother-style spying over the garden fence. But it turned out to be more like Big Sister, unplugged.
Ross Avenue in Papatoetoe is a quiet, leafy cul-de-sac. But all is not as it seems.
DJ Hemopo, Dianne Wihone and their two kids Charlie, 4, and Kees, 2, moved into their rented home in Ross Ave seven months ago.
The problems started when neighbour Anita Devi, who has lived in the cul-de-sac for five years, complained that the family were letting their rubbish encroach on her driveway and had thrown a "sticky" substance at her car.
According to Wihone, the neighbours never discussed the issues face to face, but Devi said she eventually contacted the police.
Then, last Saturday, Wihone and Hemopo noticed what appeared to be a video camera in their neighbour's window, pointing over the fence into their property.
"It was a bit of a shock," said Hemopo. "We glanced up and saw this thing sitting, staring at us. When we're having tea we have to keep the curtains drawn. And my kids are really conscious of it now."
The family had been planning to invite people over for Christmas lunch in the garden today but were having second thoughts.
"We're wondering whether we should go out," said Hemopo. "We don't want to be watched having lunch. It's like Big Brother."
Wihone said the camera made the family feel uncomfortable in their home. "My biggest concern is not only the breach of privacy, but what she may do with any footage she has of our children and us."
She said police had promised to look into her complaint but she'd heard nothing since Wednesday.
The family said they were aware of the complaints because Devi had contacted their landlord.
Wihone described the complaints as "ridiculous".
The Herald on Sunday visited Anita Devi yesterday and was invited into her bedroom, where the camera was set up on the window sill aimed at the Wihone residence.
On closer inspection, it turned out to be a plastic fake, powered by batteries to make it swivel and sporting red flashing lights.
Devi said it cost her $20 and she bought it to give the impression she had surveillance equipment, after the problems she had experienced.
"They don't know," she said of her neighbours.
Asked if she thought that was a bit mean, Devi replied: "It's not mean when they are throwing stuff. That's a $15,000 car there.
When told the camera was a fake, Dianne Wihone said: "That is fantastic."
She said she wouldn't talk to her neighbour to sort out the problem, preferring to leave it in the hands of her landlord. "I am still very annoyed. We've had all this anxiety over the past week for nothing."
