'Idiot' vandals strike at college

One of Otumoetai's neighbouring residents, Kevin Middleton, helped replant some of the native trees and shrubs ripped from the ground at Sherwood Gully.

Otumoetai College was twice hit by vandals at the weekend with four to five holes cut in the newly erected fence around the sports field and shrubs and native trees ripped from the ground.

The $10,000 worth of new plantings was done by college students in nearby Sherwood Gully last month in an effort to bring back native birdlife beside the Matua Salt Marsh and Tauranga Harbour.

More than 30 shrubs, plants and native trees were damaged during the raid about 11am on Saturday, said disgusted Carlton St resident Kevin Middleton.

Some of the damage done to new shrubs and trees planted in Sherwood Gully.

Mr Middleton, whose property borders the gully, said he spent some time watching the college students participate in the planting.

"It brought a big smile to my face because they had aesthetically made the area a lot brighter. When this sort of hooliganism occurs we all pay the price."

Mr Middleton said he was not home when the damage was caused but his sister and brother-in-law were and tried to capture the offenders in the act on a video camera.

But the trio, a male and two females, had run off "like greyhounds" when challenged before they could do so.

Mr Middleton said he cleaned up the area and replanted some of trees as best he could but some were broken in half and he feared the damaged plants would not survive.

"I broke my spade replanting some of these trees but I'd like to see the youngsters responsible own up and help re-dig all the plants and put the area back in shape."

Mr Middleton said due to lack of watering he feared the damaged plants would die.

Otumoetai College principal Dave Randell said he had been unaware of the planting damage until it had been drawn to his attention by Mr Middleton.

Mr Randell said in addition to the damage to the plants and trees, four to five holes were cut in the mesh of the newly erected $17,000 fence surrounding the sports field at the weekend.

The fence had only been up about six weeks and repairs were likely to cost $1000, he said.

"It's not just the financial cost but all the time and effort that has gone into these projects only to have some idiots come along and ruin it," Mr Randell said.

On October 4, Mr Randell also evicted unknown teenagers lurking on school property.

Anyone knowing anything about the incidents is urged to phone Mr Randell on 576 2316 or Tauranga police on 577 4300.