By Adam Hollingworth
A rift has opened between factions in the Occupy movement over the fate of the homeless people who lived rough in Aotea Square before and during the occupation.
The eviction of protesters and the erection of fences left the homeless exiled again, but a Good Samaritan is helping them out.
Aotea Square was occupied long before the Occupy protesters moved in. Members of Auckland's homeless community lived there, and now they've been evicted along with the protesters.
"This occupation actually caused the problem we have today, not the council," says JD Simon.
So he has come up with a solution - taking the homeless into a mini tent city in his back yard.
"I think the irony around it is that the protest has been around the gap between the rich and poor and about corporate greed, and ironically the people at the end of this protest who're going to be totally dispossessed - not having anywhere to go - are the most marginalised people who the protest is about," says the Auckland City Mission's Diane Robertson.
As Occupy protesters tore down fences last night, the homeless were more worried about their immediate future.
"I hope they come in and bash the f**king lot of yous, then you'll feel how it feels with us without a home," said one homeless person.
But the Occupy movement says they've actually looked after the homeless while the council's been heavy-handed.
"Council's saying get back on the streets, council's saying get back on the park benches on Queen St, and whereas for the last three months they've been here in one area, they've had a roof over their heads, they've had food for them," says Chris Glen.
Transience is common among homeless people, who typically move up to half a dozen times a year.
The Mission says they're picking up people who've fallen from the boat, but the solution is only temporary.
JD Simon says they'll have to move on again next week.
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