Christchurch Occupy protesters to be evicted

The Occupy Christchurch group camping in Hagley Park. Photo / APN

Protesters in Christchurch's Hagley Park will be evicted after city councillors today voted unanimously to have them removed.

The Occupy Christchurch protesters have been camped at the park since last October as part of a global protest movement.

The councillors decided this morning that the protesters were illegally occupying a public space and should be removed. Protest leaders have said they would leave the South Hagley Park site peacefully.

The group had been causing problems, with police forced to search the camp for criminals on more than one occasion and about 25 people being issued trespass orders.

Christchurch Hospital, directly across the road from the Occupy site, said it was pleased the group would soon be evicted.

The hospital had been paying $12,000 weekly since March for a security guard to provide extra security, after numerous cases of hospital patients, staff and security being verbally and physically harassed by people originating from the camp site.

Canterbury District Health Board spokesman Murray Dickson said: "We are very pleased with today's decision and look forward to the Occupy Christchurch protesters moving on.''

Other Occupy sites throughout New Zealand had been shut down by police months ago, after the High Court found there was "no fundamental human right to camp in a public place without a permit.''

Mayor Bob Parker said council staff would work with social welfare to help house any protesters who needed help. Several of the protesters said they would leave the South Hagley Park site peacefully.