Rough sleeper caught up in whirl of politics

A rough sleeper in Hawera has been caught up in the whirl of politics after a mayoral candidate promised to get rid of him. Mayoral aspirant Craig Baylis says if he was elected, a man known as 'Derek' who is homeless, would have to go. Derek has been a fixture in front of an empty shopfront on Hawera's High Street for about two years. Mr Baylis says he would introduce a bylaw to stop people from squatting in town. A local retailer, Mr Baylis declined RNZ an interview but was unequivocal when spelling out his position to NZME's Hokonui radio station