- By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
funded by New Zealand on Air
Public aggression towards Māori and Rainbow communities has prompted questions over Auckland Council security.
At council’s Governing Body meeting on March 28, concerns around threats towards communities and council staff raised questions about how council would respond.
Cr Richard Hills asked what council was doing to support staff dealing with an increase of threats and aggression.
“There is a concern from members of the public that they are being attacked through racism against Māori at the moment, staff are feeling that way and today we had the Rainbow crossing painted over,” Hills said.
He said Destiny Church has made threats to continue attacking council events and structures with Rainbow community themes.
Chief executive Phil Wilson confirmed that council had already begun beefing up security following public aggression but that had begun before the recent instances of aggression.
“That’s quite a significant challenge obviously – we have taken the step of putting security in some venues,” Wilson said.
He said council was committed to Māori outcomes, treaty relationships, diversity and inclusion which staff found really important.
