Keeping the community safe: On patrol with the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Pacific Wardens

Pastor Richard Takapautolo cuts a powerful figure while patrolling Selwyn Reserve in Mission Bay. As children play near the fountain and picnickers enjoy ice creams in the popular seaside spot, Richard and the other volunteer members of the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Pacific Wardens stand strong, looking out for trouble.

During a circuit of the park, the wardens caution a speeding scooter rider, politely ask a driver parked in a disabled spot to move their car and reunite a toddler with their mum. Wardens Ilaitia Lomawai and Taniela Kaivela introduce themselves to a teenage boy who is on his own, checking he is not only safe but also that he is not planning any disruptive or illegal behaviour. While the wardens - many of whom are former rugby players - might seem intimidating, their approach is firm yet friendly. Their goal? To keep the community safe.

"We don't want anyone to feel like they are living in an unsafe city," says Richard. "We want everyone to feel at ease. We know these areas and know we can make a difference."

The Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Pacific Wardens Trust (MTPWT) was formed in 2011 by Richard and Taniela. The organisation has received funding from Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board and is part of a larger Auckland Pacific Wardens group. The wardens work alongside the New Zealand Police, acting as their eyes and ears, with the support of Auckland Council. All wardens are volunteers vetted by the police, and they receive basic police training on safety procedures and how to report crimes on the police radio channel.

Many of the wardens - who are all from the Pasifika community - work eight hours a day in their regular jobs before patrolling the streets of Glen Innes, Panmure, and Onehunga on Friday and Saturday nights.

"Our days are long but meaningful," says Richard, a police employee who has been on leave for two years while he completes an EMBA (Executive Master of Business Administration).

The team focuses on helping all families in the community but have more interaction with Māori and Pasifika youth. Patrolling the streets on foot and sometimes using a community patrol car they often break up fights or warn teenagers to stop drinking in public places. Using a community focussed approach, they aim to de-escalate trouble before the police get involved.

"We know some of the families of the youth. When we spot teens up to no good, like drinking in the park, we will talk to them in their own language - we speak to them in Samoan, Tongan or Fijian - so it's like they are talking to their own family," says Richard.

The wardens try to speak Pacific languages with members of the community where possible, and also encourage youth to get involved with the organisation.

"We might even tell them we know their mum, dad, auntie or uncle. Often that will make them stop what they're doing and walk away," he adds. "The big thing is showing we have a heart for them. We're not there to see them get locked up; we're there to show some understanding, respect and support while keeping people safe."

Although the emphasis is always on preventing crime in the first place, if trouble continues, the wardens call the police. The Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Pacific Wardens have helped the police catch perpetrators of serious crimes such as ram raids and burglaries. They've also done work to save the lives of troubled youth, including talking to a man in danger of self-harm and helping him down from a bridge.

"It's days like that you really know you have made a difference," says Richard. "The wardens have seen a lot of heavy stuff in this job."

Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Pacific Wardens are often called in to support the police in popular spots such as during busy times. Liquor bans are sternly enforced.

In addition to Glen Innes, Panmure, Onehunga and south Auckland, the wardens are often asked by the police and Auckland Council to help out in areas such as Mission Bay during busy periods, or for special events such as Christmas in the Park or Matariki celebrations. Richard and the team often use these events as opportunities to talk to youth and members of the community to tell them more about the wardens' work.

"We take the chance to talk to young people, shake their hands and encourage them to work with the wardens in the future. We'd love to see more young people walking alongside us."

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