Trail of destruction in gorge
A Tararua iwi is relieved a trail of destruction at the eastern entrance to the Manawatu¯ Gorge walking track is the result of petty theft, not a further cultural attack on its carvings.
Thieves wrecked the educational and cultural signs under a Ma¯ ori gateway at the Ballance Domain entrance, near Woodville, on Sunday, making off with a donation box.
A carved figure at the site, representing Rangita¯ ne’s whakapapa, was defaced in April when Woodville man Milton Wainwright chain-sawed off its phallus, believing its size to be obscene. The 78-year-old, who runs an organ museum in Woodville, was later found guilty of wilful damage. He is being sentenced next month.
Rangita¯ ne kaumatua Manahi Paewai said his heart sank when he heard the gateway had endured further damage, but he was relieved the intent was free of cultural prejudice. ‘‘It was a relief ... [because] my first thought was: ‘Are we going to have to go through all this again so soon?’’’
He understood six men were seen in a black Impreza or Chevrolet, dragging a koha box behind the car with a tow rope.
Drag marks were clearly visible on the concrete by the signs, which suggested the concrete box was pulled loose and stolen.
A police spokeswoman confirmed a caller had reported a group of men driving off down Gorge Rd with the donation box at 10am on Sunday.
Police were still looking for the men yesterday and were following up with the caller as part of the investigation, she said.
Paewai said the theft was terrible, but at least it wasn’t another attack on the carvings.