Community fights back

A community safety steering group may be on the cards for Onehunga.

A community meeting was held on Friday after a fight between two teenage girls at the Onehunga bus depot the week before, in which one was stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle.

Town manager Amanda Kinzett says about 25 people attended the meeting.

"It was really positive, people are looking at working together and putting some support plans in place."

Senior sergeant Hirone Waretini, who is in charge of the Onehunga police station, says a steering group is being planned to look at safety issues in the wider area.

"We’re hoping it will be a long-term, sustainable body."

He would be involved in an advisory and decision-making capacity from a policing point of view.

With the support of Maungakiekie MP Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga and Labour list MP Carol Beaumont, Ms Kinzett says the group will lobby the government for more social and policing support in the area.

Another meeting will be held in a month and Ms Kinzett says key community leaders who can effect change are being invited to attend.

"It’s a work in progress. It’s going to be really positive."

She says an important aspect is the community taking ownership of the issues.