Aotea Sq occupiers given cash

Protestors camped out and occupying Aotea Square in Auckland. Photo / Janna Dixon

The occupation in Aotea Square is getting thousands of dollars from the public.

Chris Glen controls the Occupy Auckland finances and said the occupation got $3000 to $4000 in donations each month. These came from passersby, businesses, organisations and church groups.

Everything on site was donated in one form or another, including the computer system, internet and printers.

Glen said money was spent on power, water, food and materials for actions. He said the camp had a diesel generator and bottles of water had to be brought in from off site.

Glen said Auckland Council had refused access to power and water.

"They haven't made it easy for us."

He said they weren't asking for a handout, just to pay the going rate.

"If we didn't have to deal with that we could concentrate on our message. The sooner we can do that the sooner we can initiate that change we're after."

Auckland Council public affairs manager Glyn Walters said the protesters had access to water and the council allowed them to have the generator there.

Walters said he thought the public wanted the campers to move on. "They would like their square back as the protesters have had a fair go."