Last Occupy Auckland protesters stand their ground

JESSICA TASMAN-JONES AND MICHELLE ROBINSON

Security guards remain at Auckland's Aotea Square this morning keeping watch over Occupy protesters who have reclaimed the spot overnight.

Around a dozen fresh tents were erected overnight, but the early morning mood was quiet compared to yesterday's rowdy removal of the Occupy Auckland camp with just a handful of security guards on duty.

No police were at the site after yesterday's heavy presence.

An Auckland Council spokesman said he would not discuss the "tactical planning" for Aotea Square today.

"It's time for everyone to move on - the feedback we are getting is Aucklanders are pleased the council has taken this action and they can get their public parks back," he said.

A protester who gave his name as Oz said the Occupiers planned to sit in their tents today in a bid to thwart any attempts to have their gear removed.

Under the bylaw used by the council yesterday, equipment including tents were removed but the people occupying the public areas could not be evicted.

Oz said around 25 people remained, with 15 tents erected.

The council were yet to say if they would repeat yesterday's bust of the camp, when gear belonging to the protesters was removed, or take court action to evict the protesters.

About 30 protesters had prepared to stand their ground last night as security officers and police arrived to confiscate more equipment from the square.

Security guards and police with three paddy wagons had been facing off against a "few keen players" fighting to keep their belongings and remain on site.

The grassy patches occupied by the anti-capitalist protesters were fenced off overnight as the council clamped down on the last remaining camp set up by the group.

Occupy camps at Albert Park and Queen St had been abandoned after council security confiscated tents and gear.

Protesters at Victoria Park had until 7pm last night to move.

Yesterday afternoon about 20 protesters surrounded the council's Civic Building, overlooking Aotea Square, and demanded their property back.

But security staff blocked all entrances, preventing anyone entering or leaving the building and protesters were issued with a trespass notice.

Remaining Occupy members held a meeting at Aotea Square last night to decide how they would respond.

Just a couple of tents had remained last night, defended by "a few keen players", protester Sheree Manahi said.

Among them was a pregnant woman and her nine-month-old baby, with half of their household belongings at the site.

"It's everything she owns, beds, blankets, a few items of furniture ... She has nowhere else to go," Manahi said. "It's not looking too promising."

It was difficult for the occupiers to move their belongings, she said. "It's been too short a notice; none of us have got money for trailer hire. We're all hungry and tired."

Auckland Council spokesman Glyn Walters said the fences erected in Aotea Square would keep occupiers out and also allow the council to assess damage to a weatherproof membrane that protects the car park beneath the square.

The council estimates repair costs to that area at more than $65,000. Many occupiers say the estimated bill was absurd.

The council was confident confiscation of camping gear will be enough for protesters to end their occupation and has abandoned plans to have remaining protesters arrested.

Yesterday two people were arrested for breaching the peace as they resisted security guards confiscating gear.

Occupy protesters complained that police deliberately concealed their identification during the arrests and last night police confirmed three officers were subject to an employment investigation for wearing matching numbers.

Officers must wear numbered badges so they can be identified by members of the public.

Occupy member Merlin Blackmore said the breach was "like having two people with the same driver's licence or passport".

"One of them was one of the people who was being physically quite brutal while arresting a protester and yanking them out of the van."

Protesters had been told last year that they would be in contempt of court if they remained in Aotea Square after December 23.

Judge David Wilson had upheld a council-issued trespass notice that said the protesters were breaching bylaws which prohibited camping in public spaces.

But when the council took remaining occupants to court a week later to have them arrested, the application was declined.

Judge Philippa Cunningham said it would be difficult to determine who was residing at the camp and who was just visiting.

She was also concerned those arrested would not be able to get a bail hearing until January 4 because of the holidays.

Walters said legal advice to the council revealed it was still able to confiscate gear despite Judge Cunningham's decision.

He said the establishment of a fourth occupation at Albert Park galvanised the council to take action.

Heritage advocates had also complained to the council that the occupation was on the old army barracks – an archaeological site.

"Aucklanders have had a gutful of this and it's also costing the council a lot of money and we're keen to end this expense for the ratepayer," Walters said.

WELLINGTON WATCHING

Despite police action in Auckland against the Occupy movement, Wellington City Council is still weighing up its options for removing the protesters camping out in Civic Square.

The Wellington branch of the Occupy movement celebrated 100 days of occupation on Sunday, staying well past the eviction date of January 4 set by the council before Christmas.

But with a stream of complaints recently received from women about harassment in the camp, the council said it was watching events in Auckland with interest.

"We are still considering our options," spokesman Grahame Armstrong said. "We are very aware of the developments in Auckland but from our perspective it has not changed anything."

In Christchurch, protesters celebrated their 100th day of camping in Hagley Park, with no sign of being told to move on.

Christchurch City Council said it had still to decide if it would ask protesters to leave.

- © Fairfax NZ News