Auckland taxpayers shell out $ 100,000 to repair park vandalism

There is a mounting repair bill for the vandalism of the Kauri fire stations, in what appears to be a deliberate attack.

Broken fences, stolen spray guns and brushes, and broken hygiene stations have been reported, costing more than $ 100,000.

Kauri Dieback Management senior ranger Stu Leighton said some of the vandalism appears to be a target.

“Vandalism has always occurred in regional parks, but the targeted and deliberate damage to road barriers, signs, and the deliberate cutting of sterigen lines seems to be a form of protest and that’s the frustrating piece. We’re looking forward to it. because more tracks are reopened for the summer but this behavior does not help “.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said such acts were a “senseless waste of scarce resources”
that endangered the environment.

“This kind of irresponsible and pathetic behavior has cost taxpayers more than $ 100,000 and wasted hours of staff time.

“Not only does it put our iconic kauri trees at risk, it also consumes staff time that could be better spent updating and maintaining the tracks in our parks.”

The mayor is urging anyone with information about the damage to call city hall or the police.

From February 2019 to July 2020, more than 60 signs have been replaced in the Waitākere ranges. Major repairs to the fences have cost about $ 22,500, and this does not include minor repairs and reinstallation of signs that have been taken down.

The cameras have been in use since April last year, but 17 have disappeared in regional and local parks, at a cost of $ 6,800.