Helen Robinson, Chief Executive (Manutaki) of the Auckland City Mission, discusses the growing crisis of rough sleeping in central Auckland and the impact of new police "move-on" powers that took effect this week. She reveals that around 200 people sleep without shelter in central Auckland nightly, and that in her 13 years with the mission, street homelessness has never been worse.

Robinson argues homelessness stems from a combination of poverty, trauma and complex health needs - noting the average age of death at the mission's medical centre is just 55 - and calls for government to prioritise building more affordable housing alongside wraparound support. While acknowledging police have acted reasonably in applying the new move-on legislation, she urges New Zealanders to look past short-term political cycles and harness the country's underlying generosity and goodwill to ensure everyone has access to a home and healthcare (www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz).

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