A community swimming pool in Northland could be out of action this summer after vandals tipped paint and chemicals into the water just as the facility was ready for use.
Kaikohe police are investigating the break-in at a storage room at the Northland College Community Pool where a water testing kit was smashed and chemicals, including rubber-based black paint, were dumped in the pool.
The storage room's door and a window were also damaged.
Police investigating the senseless case of vandalism were left a clue as the thieves walked through the black paint, used for marking lanes in the pool, leaving footprints behind.
Pool contractor Leif Pakai said the small footprints suggested the offenders wore size six or smaller shoes.