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A political war of words has erupted over the police’s Operation Trolley targeting Rotorua’s homeless trolley-users, with Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi calling it a “direct attack” by the Government on impoverished people. 

But the three-day police operation – which saw 13 people arrested, 45 trolleys returned to stores and 19 trespass orders issued – has been backed by Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell and two MPs. 

Tapsell said ratepayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill for cleaning up after the homeless, while Rotorua MP Todd McClay said Waititi’s comments were out of touch with how locals were feeling, and Police Minister Mark Mitchell said police were enforcing the law. 

A police statement said that while being homeless was not a crime, police had received complaints about homeless in the CBD intimidating other people with trolleys. 

Police would not tolerate anti-social or unlawful behaviour and were committed to ensuring people in the CBD felt safe. 

“Operation Trolley” ran from January 21 to 23. Seven people appropriating trolleys for personal use were arrested and given verbal warnings for receiving an item worth less than $500. Six were arrested for alleged historical offending, including theft, assault, bail breaches and trespassing. 

Discarded supermarket trolleys in Rotorua last year. Photos / Laura Smith 

Nineteen were trespassed from the store that owned the trolley they were using. 

The police statement said homelessness was a social problem that required a joint effort to address the underlying issues. 

“Police work with a number of agencies to understand these issues, support the homeless, and collectively find homeless people long-term solutions.” 

Politicians weigh in 

Tapsell said ratepayers could not continue paying the cost of cleaning up the city when homeless people were stealing trolleys for inappropriate use and dumping them. 

Tapsell said in the past it had been a major issue, with about 260 trolleys a month collected at a cost of $5000. 

Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell. Photo / Laura Smith 

“As part of our action to improve community safety, council had already met with local businesses and had made a commitment they’d retrieve trolleys within 48 hours. 

“Dumping trolleys can’t continue and I’m proud we’re fixing issues in partnership with our community to make Rotorua a better place.” 

Tapsell said she was grateful to the police for their commitment to keeping Rotorua safe. 

“It’s not reasonable to criticise police for doing their job, especially when some of the people they arrested are [allegedly] already known for violent offences, theft, and trespassing.” 

Te Pāti Māori co-leader and Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi. Photo / Mark Mitchell 

Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi called Operation Trolley a “direct attack” on the most impoverished communities by the Government. 

“There must be nothing better for the police to do than use taxpayer funds to criminalise our most vulnerable communities instead of focusing on real equitable solutions.” 

In his view, an operation targeting whānau already homeless and struggling continued the state’s cycle of abuse. 

“This Government cannot police inequality out of society, our whānau deserve better and better looks like our whānau having a roof over their head and the ability to afford to put kai in those trolleys.” 

Rotorua MP Todd McClay. Photo / Andrew Warner 

But Rotorua MP Todd McClay said the sight of supermarket trolleys up and down Fenton St had concerned local people for a long time. 

“Sadly Mr Waititi’s comments are out of touch with the reality of the harm that’s been done to the Rotorua community through homeless being dumped in our city. 

“The police have not targeted anyone, rather they’ve focused on combating theft of property and anti-social behaviour in the CBD.” 

He also thanked the police for making Rotorua safe and working to reduce crime. 

Mitchell said the operation was about enforcing the law and helping the public feel safe. 

“Any suggestion the operation was a form of abuse on our most vulnerable is nonsense. The bottom line is: those who break the law will face consequences, and public safety will always be the priority.” 

He said he was focused on the issue of anti-social behaviour and working with police, other agencies and colleagues to find solutions. 

Police and Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell. Photo / Marty MelvillePolice and Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell. Photo / Marty Melville 

Retailers, residents speak up 

Long-time Rotorua retailer Mike Steiner said he endured endless trouble with rough sleepers at his Pukuatua St store, Steiners Interiors By Reputation. 

“There is a couple who have taken up residence [nearby] and they fight like Kilkenny cats – you should hear the mouth on her, if I recorded it, it would breach the Broadcasting Standards Authority.” 

While police and security companies had been great, he doubted the recent police operation would work long-term. 

“Security come and take them away and clean up the mess but it’s almost futile, they turn up again two days later.” 

In Steiner’s opinion, homeless people were moving to Rotorua and being “enabled” with free clothing and food, but many did not seem willing to engage with other support or accept “hard messages”. 

Steiner said many resources were going into a few people and he called on the community to do more collectively. 

Pak’nSave Rotorua owner-operator Amanda Elliot said the business was grateful to the police for Operation Trolley. 

“We know the police have more pressing matters to deal with than rounding up trolleys, so we’d like to remind everyone to please leave trolleys at the store so they’re available for everyone to use when shopping.” 

Elliot said stolen trolleys inconvenienced supermarkets and created issues around town. 

“If we’re notified about a trolley left somewhere, we’ll go and pick it up, and we also regularly check the usual places where they’re abandoned. Collecting trolleys takes time and effort that we’d rather spend helping our customers.” 

Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers chairman Reynold Macpherson said the organisation celebrated the police operation. 

Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers chairman Reynold Macpherson. Photo / Andrew Warner 

“It reimposes law and order in our community, asserts supermarkets’ property rights, arrests perpetrators and may deter a form of antisocial behaviour.” 

He said he welcomed all signs of residents and ratepayers taking back their community. 

But iwi leader Rāwiri Bhana – a 2024 Kiwibank Local Heroes medallist – was disappointed by the operation, saying it was not a solution when dealing with people sleeping rough who may also have mental health, drug and alcohol issues. 

2024 Kiwibank Local Heroes medallist Rāwiri Bhana. Photo / Supplied 

“Yes we need solutions but criminalising those most vulnerable in our society is not the society I want my moko [grandchildren] growing up in. We need to be better, we need to do better, ‘out of sight out of mind’ is not the solution.” 

Bhana said it was a complex issue that needed a complex answer. 

“As a community, we need to do better for the most vulnerable.” 

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.