Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says he feels "repulsed" by members of a family evicted from a welfare centre.
The people were members of a family group of about 30 at the Addington welfare centre, some of whom were behaving unacceptably.
The group took advantage of the centre, intimidated others, created a nuisance and then refused to leave, Superintendent Dave Cliff said.
Checks found they had not told the truth about the damage they had suffered.
"Their addresses had been assessed by council engineers and found to be safe and secure," Mr Cliff said.
"After extensive attempts by a number of different agencies failed and the family refused to move on, they were evicted under the Trespass Act."
The welfare centres were for people without safe, alternative accommodation, to stay at for a few days until they made arrangements.
"What we don't want is for people to expect to use the welfare centres as a more comfortable place to stay than their own homes," he said.
It was the only incident of its kind, but police would keep visiting welfare centres to ensure that people in need get help, and to move on people with no legitimate reasons for being there.
Mr Parker said 99 per cent of people in the region were standing up to help, but this family had taken advantage of a centre set up to help the most vulnerable.
"I feel repulsed by that sort of behaviour," he said.
Last night 260 people stayed in the welfare centres.
