Auckland crime: Safety hubs to address theft, anti-social behaviour in CBD – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

Community Patrols of New Zealand’s Gurdeep Talwar and Māori Warden Joanne Paikea stand in front of the safety hub in Queens Wharf.
Photo: NZ Herald / Jason Oxenham

Four publicly accessible safety hubs will be set up in Auckland’s CBD to address a falling perception of security that has led to the deputy mayor admitting she never feels safe walking alone in her city.

The Weekend Herald can reveal a unique partnership between the government and Auckland Council to spend $100,000 each building three replicas of the safety hub installed on Queen’s Wharf for the Fifa Women’s World Cup.

The hubs, to be established by the end of next month, will be installed at sites along High St, Queen St and Karangahape Rd.

They will be staffed by different volunteer groups, including Māori wardens and Community Patrols of New Zealand, which will work alongside police liaisons and a paid hub coordinator.

Members of the public can approach volunteers on the street or at the hubs if they feel unsafe. It will then decided whether wardens or police are more appropriate to respond to the situation.

The funding will ensure the hubs operate for six to 12 months with the possibility of extension if they are deemed to be providing value.

Ngāti Whātua Orākei Māori Wardens unit manager Joanne Paikea told the Herald arresting people with mental health issues causing disruption in the CBD was not…