Latest from Occupy Auckland

Here  is the latest from Occupy in Auckland - along with an earlier report

Occupy Auckland protesters back in Aotea Square

Around 30 Occupy Auckland protesters have returned to camp in Aotea Square this morning, despite being forcibly removed from the area yesterday.

TVNZ,

24 January, 2012

Auckland Council moved to evict the protesters after they had spent more than 100 days camped out by the Town Hall, and more recently in other locations around the central city.

Cars, tents and camping gear were removed from sites at Aotea Square, Albert Park, Victoria Park, and outside council premises at 360 Queen St yesterday.

Three people were arrested and police say they're keeping an eye on the situation today, security staff are also monitoring the area.

A fence has been put up in the square to protect an area of grass, but protesters have this morning set up camp around the barrier, with around 10 tents

Protester John Minto told TV ONE's Breakfast the council's actions have not put off campaigners.

"When I left last night there were more people arriving and there is a substantial camp there now," he said.

Minto said he thought the protest had been successful in shaping public opinion.

"No-one ever thought a few tents in Aotea Square was going to bring the end of global capitalism.

"But I think what it's done is highlight the issues of inequality, like here in New Zealand where we have 1% of the population which owns more than three times what the poorest 50% own."

Police under investigation

Three police officers are under investigation after they allegedly wore matching identification numbers, during yesterday's action to remove the occupy protesters from Auckland's Aotea Square.

The Human Rights Foundation says it's worrying if police officers are not properly identifying themselves.

Chairman Tim McBride has written a paper on police identification for the Law Society.

He says it was hot topic during the 1981 Springbok tour where frequently police were unable to be identified.

McBride says if this allegation is found to be true then it's very troubling as it's police policy for each officer to wear their own identification number.

Council mandate

Auckland Council says a High Court injunction issued gave it the mandate to move against Occupy Auckland protesters.

A court ruling delivered just before Christmas allows council staff to enforce an overnight camping ban. After more legal advice, the decision was made to move in today.

Acting area commander Mike McIlriath said the council initiated the removal of protesters under the Local Government Act.

"It's a council-led operation," he said. "The police effort here is to ensure that they can go about their business."

He said the police were there to ensure the council could carry out any enforcement, but also to ensure people are able to protest peacefully, as stated in the Bill of Rights.

New Zealand Authorities Shut Down Occupy Camps

ABC,

23 January, 2012

Authorities have effectively shut down the Occupy movement in New Zealand's largest city after more than 100 days of protest.

Auckland Council officers and police Monday confiscated cars, tents and camping gear from more than 50 protesters at four sites in Auckland. The raid came after a local court ruled authorities could remove property from people who were illegally camping.

Police arrested three people in Aotea Square during the raids.

Occupy encampments remain in other New Zealand cities. 

Protesters in this country joined the movement that began last September in New York as a protest against social and financial inequality.

Auckland Council spokesman Glyn Walters said protesters can return to the sites but are no longer allowed to camp there.