World cup homeless are supercity's problem

A report on how to deal with Auckland's homeless population during the Rugby World Cup will be considered by the new supercity council.

Despite a request by the Auckland City Council's community services committee for a progress update, arts, community and recreation services group manager Kevin Marriott says a report couldn't be finished by Wednesday's meeting as planned.

Mr Marriott told the committee work being done by the Auckland City Mission and Lifewise wasn't available in time and a full report would be available for the new council in March.

But some councillors were far from happy with the lack of progress.

Independent councillor Denise Roche says the process has taken far too long.

"We started talking about this years ago.

"Part of our job as councillors is to have a final overview over some of these things."

City Vision councillor Cathy Casey expressed similar sentiments.

"This is not good enough – we need to produce a statement before March next year. It's only seven months away from the Rugby World Cup."

However committee chairman and Citizens & Ratepayers councillor Paul Goldsmith says there is enough time to formalise a policy before the tournament.

He says progress is already under way with the council in the process of establishing a formal relationship with the police.

- © Fairfax NZ News