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Camper setting up tent at Wellington's Civic Square - Source: ONE News -
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It started out as a place to protest about inequality but now there's concern the Occupy Wellington site has been hijacked by the homeless and even holidaymakers.
An eviction notice has been ignored by those camping in the central city, and local authorities are now exploring other legal options to clear the camp.
While some in the group of campers insist nothing has changed, others admit they are at Wellington's Civic Square because they have nowhere else to go.
Antonio Tauri and Wharawhara Teina are used to sleeping rough but with tents available at the Square, they now have got somewhere to call home.
"I am staying here because I've got nowhere else to go, my house is gone," Tauri told ONE News.
Protesters moved into public spaces around the country in mid-October as part of a global protest about inequality and corporate greed.
However, most of the original protesters have now left.
Rosie Radford was part of that original movement but admits she would leave if she had somewhere else to go.
"It's very difficult (camping)," she said.
It seems those living at the square are not the only ones unhappy, authorities said they have received complaints from the public with allegations of verbal abuse.
Wellington City Council has confirmed in a statement that they are looking at their options and seeking legal advice on how to deal with the situation.
But other local leaders are supporting the campers; with Wellington city missioner Susan Blaikie saying homelessness is a huge problem nationwide and urgently needs addressing.
"Council want them out, people want them out, people don't really know why they're there but the reality is that while it remains an irritant the issue is highlighted," said Blaikie.
But it's not just homeless people heading to the capital's Civic Square, Mauricio Rodriguez is visiting New Zealand from Columbia and he supports the Occupy movement.
"In my country, I'm from Columbia, there are a lot of homeless," he explains.
But Rodriguez said he also needed somewhere to stay the night, and was welcomed by those at the square.
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