Thieves have taken a plywood cut-out zebra and tiger from Harakeke Mountain Bike Park, spoiling bikers' fun and ruining what until now had been a trouble free zone, says the operator.
Frank Rawlinson said the plywood animals which measured 2.4m x 1.2m were stolen some time between 8pm Friday and 8am Saturday. The animals were firmly embedded in the ground and it wasn't the work of kids. "The thieves would have needed a van or a flat deck ute to take them away. This was quite targeted."
Mr Rawlinson says this is the first time any vandalism even littering has occurred at the Kaitoke park.
"When I opened on Saturday morning I noticed a beer bottle on the ground. I thought something was up, this is the first time there's been any litter around."
He said the park was fun for families and was for everybody to enjoy.