The Department of Conservation yesterday said it would remove only new paint on two rock paintings dating back to World War II at Stony Batter on Waiheke Island, claiming this would keep the original images intact.
Auckland area manager Beau Fraser said the original image of a whale on one
boulder in a field of volcanic boulders had been repainted with white house-paint, destroying its heritage value.
Mr Fraser believed the second image, of a smiley face on a round boulder, with plants sticking out the top to give the appearance of hair, was created after the gun emplacements and maze of underground tunnels were built during the war.
He said the boulders were porous and the images would remain after the department removed the new paint.
Last Friday, community relations manager Bill Trusewich said the suggestion the paintings related back to World War II was irrelevant, saying they were graffiti, spoiled the landscape, had no historical value and would come off.
The paintings would only encourage more graffiti and the department's focus was on preserving the geological value of the boulders.
Charlie Walsh, a member of the Stony Batter Protection and Preservation Society, was pleased to hear the paintings would not be completely removed.
He did not mind newer pink paint coming off the smiley face if it meant exposing the original white paint.
Auckland City Council heritage manager George Farrant said the site had undeniable geological value. The best thing for the paintings would be to retain them and let them fade into oblivion.
