Wilkinson said a ban on begging wouldn't work, and would only create problems elsewhere. He said there were four solutions.
"People need to stop giving - that's a big problem - and channel their funds to help the support organisations that are best placed to help," he said.
"Secondly, central government support [is needed] for mental health, addiction and debt management.
"Third: a roof over people's heads - they need somewhere warm and safe.
"Finally, a better balance of city centre guardianship, so we actually need to make sure politicians balance their social responsibility with commercial responsibility."
Wilkinson said their clients around the country felt similar to the attitudes held in Auckland.
"Any commercial sector is vulnerable, but retail is particularly vulnerable, and so is the hospitality sector."
Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck acknowledged begging was a complex issue and said the association wanted to find sustainable long term solutions, such as offering job opportunities to the homeless.
"People do care. I don't hear people saying they want to brush it under the carpet," Beck said.
"But equally we have people's livelihoods and hardwon great perceptions of a positive city at stake. We have to take heed of this feedback."
Currently, begging is not illegal, unless it is done in a way that intimidates or causes a nuisance, Auckland City Council bylaws and compliance manager Max Wilde said.
Auckland Council's Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw was adopted in May 2014 and specifically covers begging, stating that a person must not use a public place to beg in a manner that may intimidate or cause a nuisance. The intent of the bylaw is not to ban begging.