The Social Development Minister has instructed social workers to visit a community of homeless teens living in the bush in west Auckland.
But members of the New Lynn community didn't need any encouragement to help.
There was a kind deed from a west Auckland local touched by the story of homeless teens living in the bush. He didn't want to be identified or interviewed, saying he simply wanted to help.
He's not the only one.
"Last night we had this lady come up behind the gym and yell out to us, saying, 'Hello, we have food. It's pizza,'" says 26-year-old homeless woman Valerie.
Valerie is one of the group currently living rough in the bush in suburban New Lynn. She and her partner, Errol Angus, have been there for a year.
"I really want to get out of the park," she says. "I've been here too long and I don't like it now."
There were other visitors to the camp sites today too. Case managers and social workers turned up this afternoon, after Social Development Minister Anne Tolley instructed them to make personal contact with the group.
"We weren't aware of that situation, [but] it was a surprise to us that they were living in those circumstances," says Blair McKenzie from the Ministry of Social Development.
The group has been invited to visit the New Lynn Work and Income office tomorrow.
"Living in the bush is not a nice situation," says Mr McKenzie.
"They said that they'd help me out, they reckon, so yeah, they're good; they're going to help," says Maverik, another of the group living in the bush.
Since airing our report last night, 3 News has also been flooded with offers of support for the youngsters, from clean clothes to a BBQ, even accommodation.
"I'm pretty rapt about it," says 30-year-old homeless man Angus. "A lot of them are rapt about it, especially the people that bring up stuff like this to keep us warm."
"I want to work," says Shak. "I like landscaping and moving and carrying stuff around, yeah, so I would like landscaping."
Other social agencies in Auckland have also told 3 News they're working on a coordinated plan to support the teens.
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