Puzzled by vandalism

There were no leads as yet but it appeared to have been a planned attack. Photo / File

The motive behind a planned attack on two Far North sewerage plants, which will cost more than $30,000 to fix, remains a mystery.

Electronic monitoring and alarm systems at two sites in the Waitangi Forest were "pretty much obliterated", Far North District Council spokesman Rick McCall said.

One of the plants treats sewage from Paihia and Waitangi, while the other monitors discharge of treated effluent from Kerikeri's wastewater ponds. The monitoring systems are used to alert contractors to any problems.

Mr McCall said telemetry equipment, flow meters and virtually all electronic equipment was damaged. Trees were felled across access roads, fence poles pulled out, and a gate was cut.

Monitoring and alarm systems would have to be rebuilt at a cost of more than $30,000.

The motive for the "targeted vandalism" was difficult to understand. Treatment and discharge systems were still functioning and no spills or leaks occurred, Mr McCall said.

It was thought the vandals had visited about 1am on the night of July 26.

Senior Sergeant Peter Robinson, of Kerikeri police, said there were no leads as yet but it appeared to have been a planned attack. The offenders also stole a truck battery from the site.

He urged anyone with information about the attack to call the Kerikeri station on (09) 407 9211 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Treated effluent from the two plants is discharged into the forest because it is more environmentally friendly than discharging effluent into the water. Discharging even well-treated wastewater into the sea, where food is gathered, also runs counter to Maori custom.