30 Oct 2015

HNZ increases security at rubbish mountain

6:47 pm on 30 October 2015

Housing New Zealand is increasing security at one of its South Auckland properties where it is trying to get rid of a giant mound of illegally dumped rubbish.

The pile, in Mangere, was estimated to be about 30 metres long and three to four metres high.

Local residents say it is unsightly, dangerous, and crawls with vermin, and Mangere Budgeting Services Trust head Darryl Evans said he had never seen anything like it in his life.

The pile, in Mangere, is estimated to be about 30 metres long and three to four metres high.

Local residents say it is unsightly, dangerous, and crawls with vermin.

Housing New Zealand said the rubbish was dumped on the property by people from outside the area.

It was a serious concern as not only did it have to remove it at taxpayers' expense, but it created an unpleasant environment .

The agency said it was monitoring the area, putting up fencing, and would station a security guard there overnight.

Mangere Budgeting Services Trust head Darryl Evans said the trust had been getting complaints from residents, and he had never seen anything like it in his life.

The mound was made up of things like car tyres, old fridges, sofas, and wood with nails that made it dangerous and a fire risk, he said.

Food had also been dumped on the pile, and locals had told him the pile was a health risk.

He thought the pile might have grown because inorganic rubbish collections have changed, and were now confusing for local residents.

Auckland Council said the land was privately owned by Housing New Zealand, which had already cleared the rubbish once.

Auckland Council and HNZ were working to clear the rubbish.