Electricity cut amid hopes residents will move out

Police were hoping their raid would result in the closure of Green Acres Caravan Park.

They had the electricity shut down and called in the council which served a notice that activity must be stopped within 14 days.

Whether it does close remains to be seen but from their perspective the "boil on the backside" tag is justified.

Green Acres has been an active outlet for drugs and during the raid they found hundreds of tinnies, methamphetamines and guns.

"While we realise not everyone in the park's involved there's certainly a culture of drug and alcohol abuse that exists at the park," says detective senior sergeant Dave Lynch of Mangere Police.

The drug dealing has escalated since the death of the park's owner, Keith Turner, and police are often called out to domestic abuse and other assaults.

Another offensive on the park is being carried out by Manukau City Council.

On the day of the raid an abatement notice under the Resource Management Act was issued giving trustees 14 days to wind up the operation.

Even though the park has had resource consent twice, in 1988 and 1992, each time attached conditions were not met and the previous consents have expired.

What the notice means for the residents is unclear. Asked if the residents will have to leave, council environmental health and enforcement manager Keith Jackson said: "In terms of that we'd have to get legal advice on their options if there's non-compliance."

He said despite reports of sewerage issues, the council was satisfied there was no immediate danger in terms of building structure or health and safety of residents.

When Energy Safety Services disconnected the power, they had good reason.

It was not to punish residents, says operations manager Graham Boxall, who had understood the park would be deserted because people were being removed.

But much of the wiring is dangerous - "Such things as live wires coming out of caravan walls, broken plugs and sockets, not proper insulation.

"Our intention isn't to keep power off permanently, or to deny people the right to energy but we have a responsibility for the safe supply and use of electricity." and we make a judgement call around life and death issues, to be dramatic about it."

Housing New Zealand has helped find four households emergency housing and homes have been found for nine others who can move as they become available.