Random act of kindness brightens Te Awamutu school

Gibson Housing construction manager Andrew Smith (left), Pekerau Primary School deputy principal Racheal Bell and Gisler Architects director Tim Gisler.

Two Te Awamutu businesses have brightened up Pekerau Primary School by repairing a tagged school playground.

Gisler Architects director Tim Gisler came across news of the playground tagging on Facebook in January.

He quickly organised for the playground to be repaired.

Tim has no direct connections to the school — he simply wanted to do something for the community.

Gisler Architects funded the materials and Gibson Construction provided the labour.

Pekerau Primary School acting principal Pat Boland said almost every flat surface of the playground — including the fake grass — was tagged.

"My guess was that it was out-of-towners doing the tagging, like dogs marking their territory," he says.

"It could have been really upsetting for the children to come back to school with a tagged playground."

But by the time school started back last week, the students were greeted with a fresh playground. Every tagged apparatus had been replaced.

Pat said the cost of replacement was significant and meant the school could spend money on other resources.

He said he was stunned at the kind gesture of the local businesses.

"I was really impressed. The level of community spirit here in Te Awamutu is incredible."