KEY POINTS:
It has taken two murders and more than 20 years for the Auckland City Council to help Otahuhu clean up its social issues and gang violence problems, a community group says.
Maryanne Funaki, chairwoman of an Otahuhu residents steering committee, said the council became involved only after the
committee was set up in response to the gang-related deaths of Faafetai Lafolua, 24, and Haruru Pekepo, 19, last year.
Years of previous council oversight had turned Otahuhu into a "no-man's land" with decrepit community facilities and crime-ridden streets.
"We are right on the cusp of the Manukau City and the Auckland City Council's responsibilities and they've just left us here for years and years by ourselves," Mrs Funaki said.
"It's taken 20 years and a couple of murders before council accepted their responsibilities."
There had been no visible authorities in terms of policing, youth groups and funding from the Ministry of Social Development. As a result, the area became a meeting place for youth gangs from Onehunga, Glen Innes and Panmure who regularly fought it out on Otahuhu's streets.
"Our kids ended up defending their turf and we ended up with the boys killed within a few weeks of each other."
But Auckland City Council spokeswoman Pam Bourke said "this term of council" had committed "quite significant resources" into the community, including a recreation centre and programmes, a youth worker and plans for a swimming pool and library to be built in 2009.
"The concern has been ongoing. It's not just about local government. These are complex problems and there have been long-standing issues around social and economic problems and a lack of infrastructure," said Ms Bourke.
The situation was not helped by Otahuhu residents not actually making complaints about their plight to the council. "People don't jump up and down as much when they have got concerns in Otahuhu as they might in other parts of the city."
MP Mark Gosche said Otahuhu, which is in his Maungakiekie electorate, was finally being recognised after "years and years of the council not realising it was part of the scene".
Otahuhu had many of the same issues as places in South Auckland did but hadn't been given the resources to deal with them until now. "The council has thrown a heck of a lot of resources into the steering group but it's time to discuss this work with the people of Otahuhu," he said. "We need their input and their involvement."
Mrs Funaki was hopeful locals would attend a public forum at the Otahuhu Town Hall on July 23 to discuss what the committee, which includes residents, the council, the YMCA, police and the Ministry of Social Development, had done to respond to the issues.
"We want to talk about the facilities Otahuhu needs, the state of our parks and streets, the activities available to all Otahuhu people young or old."
