Rising rent is causing trouble for many New Zealanders, the Salvation Army send a warning. Fishermen receive fines for poor conduct as Dunedin Hospital takes another hit.
A South Auckland community is reeling after the town centre’s seating area and playgroundwere dismantled to deter anti-social behaviour and public drinking.
Victoria Hearn, a volunteer and trustee of the Ōtara Gambling and Alcohol Action Group (OGAAG), an advocacy group that has been addressing alcohol harm and gambling concerns in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe community for 20 years, said there was no warning the area was to be removed.
“I was a bit shocked. I just took a couple of photos there this morning when I got into work early. Because when you come in early and there’s no one there, it’s this beautiful space.
Ōtara residents are ‘absolutely gutted’ after the removal of the town centre’s playground and seating on Wednesday. Photo / Mary Afemata
“And then a couple of hours later, I come back, and it’s just being demolished.”
She is disappointed over the removal of the playground and benches under the trees, feeling gutted that the root issue – alcohol consumption and antisocial behaviour outside the Ōtara TAB – remains unaddressed, but the community has lost valuable public space.
The fencing has been put up as part of an ongoing effort to prioritise safety and address concerns relating to anti-social behaviour in the area. Photo / Auckland Council
“A lot of our community has been advocating for it to be removed because of the drinking that happens next to it and at that seating. But it’s just the wrong way to go about it rather than getting rid of the drinkers.
“It just feels like the drinkers have won. They’ve claimed that space as theirs. It’s our kids that have lost out to a bunch of people drinking.”
Hearn lamented the loss of the fenced-off area, which she said was “the only green space in the town centre”, and believed it could have been transformed into a family-friendly area.
It was the only playground in the Ōtara town centre, she noted in a Facebook video posted by the OGAAG.
The area being fenced off does not deter members of the public hanging outside the Ōtara TAB or alcohol being consumed publicly. Photo / Mary Afemata
“It’s been around for years, like already I’ve had people comment on Facebook saying, that playground’s a place where they can bring their kids when they’re down here doing their shopping and things like that. And I just think that we should be trying to put as much energy into getting rid of the liquor store and the TAB rather than the playground.”
Hearn has lived in Ōtara for six years and said older Pasifika men and women socialise in the area.
”Those social connections are really essential to their whole mental health and wellbeing. And without it, they sort of risk that sort of social isolation and loneliness,“ she said.
“And we know that there’s a whole lot of people that come there and congregate there just to catch up with each other. And then you have this other group that are wrecked ... by drinking alcohol there. And it’s 24/7.”
Ōtara residents Chloe and Joviani, who wish their surnames to remain anonymous asked, after seeing the playground being disassembled:“Why not get rid of the TAB?”
Elected members are exploring options for elderly residents affected by the seating removal. Photo / Mary Afemata
“I’ve reported [men drinking] so many times,” Chloe said,“and their comments towards most of the kids in that area. We walked into the meat shop one day and my son got scared.”
Joviani said: “I think take [the TAB] down. There are heaps of men around here and there’s kids like solo mums around here.”
Chloe said her children no longer use the playground: ”They did, but not anymore, people piss in there. And that’s disgusting.”
Apulu Reece Autagavaia, Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board chair, says the board believes the community shouldn't suffer from alcohol, drugs, or disruptive behaviour. Photo / Mary Afemata
Jovani added: “I think most people have heaps of memories here. And for it to get busted, it’s really sad, eh?”
Apulu Reece Autagavaia, chair of the Ōtara Papatoetoe local board, said there were concerns about the fencing around the playground and told Local Democracy Reporting:“We understand that many in our community have noticed and expressed concern about the fencing around the playground near Mr Meats and the seating area near Jasmine Nails and Spa, inside the Ōtara Town Centre.
“These changes have sparked a lot of discussion, and we genuinely hear and appreciate the passion behind those concerns. We’ve also received numerous queries and want to assure everyone that we are committed to keeping the community informed.”
He confirmed that dismantling the playground began on January 29 and is expected to be completed by the end of next week, weather permitting.
“The issue of anti-social behaviour has been a significant and ongoing topic of discussion and concern for over two years,” he said.
“The current playground is being dismantled, with plans for a new, upgraded playground in a different location, incorporating input from local youth. The board is committed to ensuring the space reflects the community’s needs and desires.
“The project is part of a broader plan to promote inclusive play spaces and address anti-social behaviour through community engagement and activations.”
