Five graves at South Auckland cemetery damaged by out-of-control car

Two or three of the graves were "extensively" damaged in the incident. Photo / File

Five graves in Auckland's Manukau Memorial Gardens were damaged after the driver of a car lost control and careened into them yesterday.

Auckland Council is looking to get in contact with the families of five people buried in the affected graves to let them know what has happened and discuss the next steps.

The families of Felise Emelio, Telesia Emelio, Sione Fanueli Finau and Varutatao Kapumareiti have not yet been reached by council.

Catherine Moore, the council's manager Auckland cemeteries, said council had so far only managed to get in touch with one of the five families.

"We ask that anyone who knows the families to let them know to get in touch with us," Ms Moore says.

"We also want to reassure other families with loved ones buried in the Manukau Memorial Gardens that no other graves were damaged."

Manukau ward councillor Alf Filipaina believed two or three of the graves were "extensively damaged", the others less seriously so.

Filipaina said it was important the families understood the incident was a "pure accident".

"That's one of the key things.

"It's crucial that the families know the graves were not targeted."

The councillor described the incident as an "unfortunate accident".

Council was also putting up signed in the area advising people of the incident and asking visitors to pass this on to the affected families.