One of the abandoned houses at Kaingaroa village. Photo / Tracey Robinson
One of the abandoned houses at Kaingaroa village. Photo / Tracey Robinson
People stealing piping and fittings from vacant houses in Kaingaroa are ruining the village, according to the administration board which looks after the homes.
A case in the Rotorua District Court involved a man who stole or received almost $17,000 worth of hot water cylinders, electrical wiring, copper piping, tapsand stainless steel bench tops from vacant homes in the village, items he sold as scrap metal, sharing the proceeds with associates.
Tama Arapeta Kahui, 20, appeared in court after pleading guilty to four charges of theft and four of receiving.
Judge Phillip Cooper said in a victim impact report a representative of the Kaingaroa Forest Village Administration Board spoke about people like Kahui ruining the village by their actions.
The police summary of facts says a large number of empty and abandoned houses in the village are in varying states of disrepair. Most are managed by the Kaingaroa Forest Village Administration Board.
Judge Cooper said the victim impact statement written by a board representative stated the buildings were not insured.
"You are wrecking that community, you and your mates," the judge said. "How is the village going to survive? Do you think money just grows on trees? What are you going to do to make up for his damage?"
He remanded Kahui on bail for sentencing on July 23.
