Council staff and police have targeted people living in cars at Tauranga’s Sulphur Point after complaints about antisocial behaviour and roaming dogs.
Dog control and vehicle licensing fines were issued during Monday’s operation.
One homeless person, Samantha Bradley, provided a video of a vehicle being towed. Her own dog, Marley, was taken from her because it was not registered.
She said this made her feel unsafe, and she had nowhere else to go.
Tauranga City Council says the enforcement followed months of engagement, warnings and complaints from nearby residents about antisocial behaviour and was carried out under national legislation.
Homeless advocates say the action has increased fear and anxiety within the community, pushing people into other suburban and public spaces without adequate support.
The operation also comes amid wider national debate, with the Government proposing new police “move-on” powers targeting rough sleeping and antisocial behaviour – legislation that homeless advocates strongly oppose.
Affected woman speaks out
Tauranga vehicle-dweller Samantha Bradley said council staff and police took her unregistered dog, Marley, from her. Photo / Ayla Yeoman
“There’s zero places to go,” Bradley told Local Democracy Reporting.
She said displacement was pushing people into suburban areas and places near schools.
Bradley said she was a kiwifruit orchard supervisor before Covid-19. She wanted to work her way out of homelessness, but was struggling due to the number of fines she had received.
She said three new fines brought her total to about $1400.
These fines were for her unregistered Subaru car and unregistered dog.
Vehicle-dweller Samantha Bradley shows the notices of fines she received on Monday morning. Photo / Ayla Yeoman
“I’m trying to get back to being a legit person. I’m in the process of doing my KiwiSaver application.”
She questioned where she could legally go with an unregistered car.
She suggested allowing vehicle-dwellers to stay overnight and leave in the morning, to reduce disruption while giving homeless people a lawful place to sleep.
Council outlines its position
Tauranga City Council regulatory and community services general manager Sarah Omundsen. Photo / Alex Cairns
Tauranga City Council regulatory and community services general manager Sarah Omundsen said the council approached the situation with care and consideration.
She said the site had attracted repeated complaints about antisocial behaviour, rubbish and roaming dogs.
She said some of the people concerned had been occupying parts of the reserve for more than a year.
“Council staff engaged with eight individuals in relation to issues involving vehicles and/or dogs.
“During these conversations, people were advised that any unregistered dogs could be impounded and any immobile vehicles may be removed.”
She said three dogs were impounded. One dog was released the same day after being registered.
She said people at the site had been repeatedly warned that enforcement would follow if vehicles remained illegal or dogs unregistered.
Tauranga City Council vehicles at Sulphur Point during Monday's operation. Photo / Ayla Yeoman
She said fines were issued under national dog control and vehicle licensing laws.
This is a national legal requirement, and no written or verbal warning is required; however, council staff verbally advised individuals of these requirements “on multiple occasions”.
“We understand the very real challenges facing people experiencing hardship or homelessness, and this situation is not taken lightly.
“We encourage any person experiencing hardship or homelessness to contact support services, such as the Ministry of Social Development, which can help connect people with the appropriate support and accommodation options.”
She said the people were not directed to move to any specific location.
“Some individuals chose to leave the area to avoid potential enforcement action.”
The council, in a statement, did not answer Local Democracy Reporting questions on vehicles being towed and how many fines were issued.
Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor. Photo / David Hall
Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor said he had been leading the push to get the area “sorted out” since before Christmas.
“Essentially, it was becoming a very dysfunctional area.”
He cited dog attacks, mental health issues and other serious incidents.
He said about 15-20 people were living in their cars in the area and they had been there for several years.
A “wrap-around” group planned the removal earlier this year, but the Mauao landslide delayed action.
The overflow carpark at Sulphur Point. Photo / Ayla Yeoman
Taylor said the overflow carpark had been used as a camp during summer despite signs showing this was not allowed.
He said this was not enforced, but the carpark would shut for winter.
He said a similar operation happened at Arataki Park three weeks ago, after complaints from residents.
He said several other places were on the council’s radar.
Greg Prescott, manager of Tauranga Marina Society. Photo / Alex Cairns
Tauranga Marina manager Greg Prescott said the marina had been pushing the council to move homeless people from Keith Allen Drive.
He cited alcohol and drug use, abuse and mess.
“We have a lot of foreign folks coming into the marina from all over the world, and it’s a really bad look.”
Police acting area commander Inspector Zane Smith said staff were present to support council staff and did not intervene.
Homeless people anxious: Advocate
Awhina House co-chairperson Angela Wallace. Photo / NZME
Awhina House co-chairperson Angela Wallace said the community involved was feeling anxious, unwanted and targeted.
“They’re on edge that their stuff is going to be all packed up and taken away or that they’ll be forced to move on,” she said.
“They’re already in a position where they’ve got nothing.”
She said people who had been moved on were turning up at suburban neighbourhoods and community centres, spreading the issue into other areas.
She said it would have been great if there had been some support for them rather than “some seemingly harsh actions being taken to move them on”.
“I feel for her [Bradley] because she’s a single woman living in her car. She’s quite vulnerable.
“The only protection she has is her dog; it’s been taken from her.”
Wallace said the Government should abandon the move-on order legislation it proposed earlier this year.
Tauranga's Sulphur Point boat ramp. Photo / Ayla Yeoman
The Government has proposed giving police move-on orders that would target disruptive, disorderly or intimidating behaviour, rough sleeping and begging.
It will amend the Summary Offences Act, and the police will be provided with the power to issue the orders once the legislation has been passed.
The legislation has not yet been introduced to Parliament.
Ayla Yeoman is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based in Tauranga. She holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in communications, politics and international relations from the University of Auckland, and has been a journalist since 2022.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
9 comments
Dogs Taken
Posted on 15-04-2026 09:46 | By muzza3
I understand 3 dogs were taken , one was returned .The oterh 2 upon reg , were likely to be returned .but he owners , didn't care enough .Options were available , and a comment was made , I suppose he will be put down .I know I would crawl over broken glass to avoid htis .I also understand that various kind locals offered to pay for the registratin but this was declined .I feel for the dogs , not the irresponsible owners
Homeless
Posted on 15-04-2026 12:36 | By John wratt
Could sun live approach the many local maraes about helping. Surely some maraes could step in and be part of a support network?
Maori land could be used to build accommodation.. subsidised employment, providing learning, developing skills etc ?
One Rule For All
Posted on 15-04-2026 12:44 | By Yadick
One rule for all. It's not about race, color, religion, status. It's one rule for all. If your car is unregistered and/or unwarranted then it shouldn't be on the road. If your dog is unregistered, then it should be removed until registration and micro chipping is payed.
The dog issue is a tough one as they're like family but TCC need to be enforcing this right across the board. My neighbor received a warning in the form of a waste of time, reminder notice over a year ago re registration and roaming dog and tells everyone Council can . . . they don't tell her what she can and cannot do. The dog remains unregistered and roaming and suprise, suprise no action from Council. ONE RULE FOR ALL TCC.
Get consistent and do your job properly and professionally.
Freeloaders
Posted on 15-04-2026 12:59 | By Ben Dover
It's about time something was done about these people who think they are above the law and dont have to pay for anything whilst most of us have to work hard to keep our heads above water and pay our dues and taxes. They then live in squalor and run the places to the ground, all for free!
No sympathy
Posted on 15-04-2026 13:23 | By Howbradseesit
There people are living rent free, I would suggest with no significant outgoings and most likely supported by the tax payer. Why should they be able to camp freely where they want and not have the same obligations and responsibilities the rest of us endure?
There are also two reasonably significant structures that that have been built around pohutakawa trees at Waikareao reserve. Not consented. Not ablutions. Dogs that rush out at passers by. So many council rules being broken here and I am looking forward to council responding the same and moving them on. One rule for all please council. No one who actually contributes positively to this city would be able to do the same, so be consistent with your approach. If they have no jobs and cannot afford to live here, they can move somewhere where this is possible for them.
Homeless
Posted on 15-04-2026 13:46 | By Come on TCC!
These people are Homeless, this means they have nowhere to go!
Council, police and Government need to find a solution, you can't ticket people and issue move on notices when they have no place to go!
Homelessness
Posted on 15-04-2026 16:32 | By LyricalSoul
Oh for goodness sake, where are the homeless mean't to go? They already have no money so fining them would be like trying to get blood out of a stone.
You need to create a space & make homes out of containers, or something even better than that like tiny homes. Overseas do something like that!
Desperation
Posted on 15-04-2026 20:06 | By somedude
Instead of trying to solve homelessness by treating the symptom and "moving them on", perhaps its time we tried treating the cause, which is successive governments that have failed these people from below by not providing a safety net of social services, and from above by failing to set policies that favor job preservation and creation over economic concerns.
These are people who were so principled that even when faced with homelessness, did not turn to crime to pay the rent. And in return for their morality they are rewarded by having their cars and pets confiscated by people who don't like to look at them - probably the same people who also complain about high levels of property crime, and police not having time to deal with it.
It's time Kiwis took a long hard look at who they keep voting for.
Homeless by choice?
Posted on 16-04-2026 08:30 | By Moneywise
I do not believe it is council or government that should be helping here. These people chose how they live to be here and put thier hand out for money every week.They will be on a benefit..and must all have family..friends..etc who own or rent land were they could 'pitch a tent' and get thier life sorted from ..i refuse to accept that they have the right to ruin our parks and reserves were our children play. I think 'we' spend $550m per year looking after them...We r the enablers..stop it all now and they will sort themselves out and create thier own better life..TOUGH LOVE!....and BTW if they have no money how do the afford a dog?
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