Vandalism to protest rates rises costs ratepayers $13k
A mystery vandal has tagged buildings, cut down trees, dumped a dead goat and destroyed a cemetery water tank in a long-running protest against rates rises that has so far cost Stratford District ratepayers around $13,000.
The apparent campaign of destruction, accompanied by ‘‘Stop rates rises’’, or some variation, in orange spray paint, began in 2019, when ‘‘No more rate rise’’ and ‘‘Rates go up, hall comes down’’ were painted on the newly painted Midhirst Hall.
Four similar incidents of property damage have occurred in the past two months.
The latest saw a new water tank at the town’s Kopuatama cemetery slashed with a sharp tool overnight on May 27, leaving the cemetery without a water supply or working toilets.
‘‘The madness of this is that the person doing this is creating a cost which gives rise to rate increases,’’ district Mayor Neil Volzke said. ‘‘The worrying thing is not just what he or she has done to date, it’s also a concern what they may do in the future.’’
Large graffiti messages were spray-painted on the wall of the Kopuatama Cemetery in November and December.
Then overnight on February 20, a badly decomposing goat carcass was left propped against the doors of the council building, accompanied by a spray-painted message on the building.
The cleanup from that incident required water blasting and a chemical clean, and replacement of damaged door mats and carpeting. On top of that, it was distressing for staff, Volzke said.
‘‘The smell was just gagging. The smell hung around for weeks, it was totally horrible, totally disgusting.’’
Another large graffiti message was sprawled on the Kopuatama Cemetery wall on March 27 or 28, then overnight on May 6 two trees were felled on Pembroke Rd.
Volzke appealed to anyone with information that could identify the culprit to contact the police.
‘‘In the past two months there have been four related incidents, so you would think that someone in the community has knowledge of whom the culprit is. If they do, please share it with the police and let them deal with it.’’
The cemetery could be without water and public toilets for weeks until the tank can be replaced. The cost to ratepayers will increase more if security cameras need to be installed.
‘‘The destruction of the water tank at Kopuatama Cemetery last week is hugely frustrating for all ratepayers, and disrespectful to those who are visiting the cemetery,’’ he said.
There were many legitimate ways people could air their views on rates or other matters to councillors or staff without damaging public property, he said.
Councillor Jono Erwood, who was a police officer for 32 years, urged anyone who knew who was responsible for the vandalism to contact the police.
‘‘If anyone sees anything suspicious,
if don’t be shy to use 111 it’s happening, get on the phone and report it, take notes, take photos,’’ he said. ‘‘Someone will know who’s doing it. We need some community buy-in, it’s costing a lot of money.’’
Erwood said he could not recall a similar case among the protests he had dealt with.
‘‘It’s pretty disrespectful what they did at the cemetery. Many people like to wash their hands when leaving a cemetery, or if they want to use the toilets.
‘‘It definitely needs to stop. It’s costing the ratepayers, and themselves, who they are advocating for, a lot of money, there’s definitely no excuse for doing that.’’
Stratford District Council rates are likely to rise by 8.5% this year. Like councils around the country, it is dealing with inflation and other rising costs. New Plymouth District ratepayers face a 12.6% rise this year, while in South Taranaki the rates are going up by 7.19%.
If you know who is responsible for this ongoing senseless vandalism please contact police on 105 or confidentially through Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.