Poor areas ‘feel forgotten’
Residents talk of pride in their communities despite struggles with crime and drug-use They want the young and old to mix and all people to have enough and to be free of intimidation, inequality and poverty.
Residents in some of the country’s poorest communities say they feel no one is paying attention to their daily struggles with unemployment, crime and safety and finding a house.
The Salvation Army has released a report, “The state of our communities”, which highlights the strengths, challenges and aspirations of people living in three New Zealand suburbs: Papakura, Linwood and Porirua.
The findings from two months of research and 300 interviews are being presented in Parliament today.
Report author Ronji Tanielu said the residents often spoke of the pride they had in the community, but also of what worried them and their hopes for their future and that of the community.
“They want the young and old to mix and all people to have enough and to be free of intimidation, inequality and poverty.”
In Papakura, 30 minutes from Auckland’s CBD, most of the residents spoke of their love and pride for a community that helped those in need.
“Social services help people here, the homeless are helped and there’s a good community spirit,” one resident said.
But struggles with low income, expensive housing and other factors contributing to poverty were making things tough for many, said one local community worker.
“A lot of the problems here are directly related to low incomes and high rents . . . this is the main pressure.”
Residents felt most of Auckland saw Papakura in a poor light, but acknowledged a number of serious social issues had driven this perception.
Main issues included crime and safety, with 43 per cent reportedly being concerned about this, in particular crime fuelled by drug-use, alcohol and gangs. Keeping youth busy and on track to a good future was another significant concern for 32 per cent of those living in Papakura.
Residents in the eastern Christchurch suburb of Linwood reported a sense of pride and resilience — especially since the 2011 earthquakes.
But it wasn’t not always so easy, when faced with challenges around employment, poverty, housing and a landscape rocked by the earthquakes.
The largest concern for Linwood residents appeared to be crime and safety, with 46 per cent citing it as a main worry.
Porirua residents described the suburb, 30 minutes out of Wellington proper, as one “big family” that had its successes even in the face of numerous challenges.
The biggest concern among residents was around crime and safety, with 37 per cent reporting it was a worry. One spoke of how gangs were a normal part of the suburb life, while others reflected on frequent use of methamphetamine and synthetics.