Spectrum for 2 March 2014

When Liz Kiriona arrived in the small South Auckland suburb of Rata Vine 18 years ago there was a lot that was wrong with the place. The local playground was wrecked, and gangs used the little park there for drinking, leaving the place covered in broken glass. Liz and a neighbour got an alcohol ban declared, and Liz fronted up to the gangs. Last year she was declared a 'Local Hero', in the New Zealander of the Year Awards.