Auckland mayoral candidate John Tamihere plans hotline to report beggars

Sunday, 11 August 2019

The initial findings of Auckland's Homeless Count have been released. They estimate that there are approximately 800 people living without shelter across the Auckland region (video first published in 2018).

John Tamihere has announced if elected mayor of Auckland, he'd launch a hotline – 0800 JACINDA – so people can report beggars.

Tamihere announced the policy on Sunday in a bid to end homelessness in New Zealand's biggest city.

According to data from the Homeless Count in September 2018, at least 3674 people were without shelter or in temporary accommodation across the Auckland region.

Auckland mayoral candidate John Tamihere says social workers need to 'wake up' and realise their job is 24/7.

Tamihere said homelessness was a central government issue, not a local government issue.

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He said Aucklanders should not 'have a fit of conscience' and hand over donations to a beggar.

'Under my mayoralty, you will be able to ring 0800 JACINDA (5224632) and a person all loving and caring that knows everything about your wellbeing will answer the phone and they will be able to dispatch a social worker that can work with that particular beggar in that particular hood,' he said.

Giving to beggars was the worst form of charity, he said.

'You are not helping the poor and the homeless – you are entrapping them. You are embedding them in the worst form of charity known to mankind.'

The mayoral hopeful has worked for 35 years in West Auckland delivering health, welfare and education programmes to the community.

If elected, he said more social housing would be built by the council and social workers would have to change their work hours.

He said social workers needed to 'wake up' and realise their job was 24/7.

'There will be a requirement that they work three shifts.'

Under Tamihere's policy, if any homeless person was causing any form of nuisance, they would be asked to accompany a social worker.