Police Minister told of Whangārei issues with homelessness, drugs, mental health

Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Whangarei MP Shane Reti fronted the NorthChamber business lunch in Whangārei. Photo / Denise Piper

Homelessness, drug abuse and dirt bike riders causing havoc are some of the key concerns Northland business leaders raised with Police Minister Mark Mitchell.

Mitchell met with about 35 people in Whangārei on Wednesday in a business lunch organised by NorthChamber, hearing their concerns in a question-and-answer session.

Attendees raised concerns about homelessness and people with mental health issues causing problems in Whangārei’s central business district (CBD).

Drug abuse, both in Whangārei and in other towns like Kaikohe, was also raised as a concern.

Another key issue was dirt bike riders - often with unregistered vehicles and no helmets - driving on Whangārei’s shared paths and “scaring the living daylights out of people”.

To help address homelessness and people with mental health issues, Mitchell suggested there was a need for more collaboration between the likes of local government, police, Kāinga Ora, social service agencies and business representatives.

Such an approach worked well to reduce crime in Auckland’s CBD, where people previously felt too scared to walk down the streets at night, he said.

But Whangārei already has several groups working together, including the CitySafe partnership, and attendees pointed out the “service poverty” in Northland not experienced in places like Auckland.

Mitchell said a new Social Investment Agency will help to ensure services cover what is needed.

He also spoke in favour of a police crackdown on gangs pushing drugs. Such an approach was successful in Ōpōtiki - the only area which has not seen an increase in meth use.

Mitchell said there would also be legislation to crackdown on “boy racers” and unlawful bike riders with a punitive approach.

While Mitchell’s police portfolio dominated the question-and-answer session, he also talked about his other roles as Minister of Emergency Management and Recovery, Corrections, Sport and Recreation, and Ethnic Communities.

With emergencies, Mitchell said there is only one country more prone to natural disasters than New Zealand: Bangladesh.

Northlanders should be proud of the way they have responded to the many weather events in the region, he said.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.