A series of vandalism attacks and burglaries has caused $20,000 in damage to a local charitable organisation's premises.
Wai Ora Christian Community Trust has been targeted seven times in the past two months, with damage including smashed walls, windows and doors, graffiti and stolen equipment.
Wai Ora manager Marama Dey said the vandalism had left the organisation in "a terrible financial deficit".
Staff and volunteers had resorted to selling hangi and mowing lawns to fundraise to fix the damage, and had asked local businesses for donations to buy a $4000 alarm system for their buildings. So far they have managed to raise $2000.
Mrs Dey said the most heart-breaking damage was in the horticulture area, where students' carefully tended seedlings had been completely destroyed.
Wai Ora has been operating from Brunswick Rd for 23 years. It is a charitable organisation which offers tertiary education courses, social work and youth activities. "We are funding to be a private training establishment, but we also run services that we don't get funding for. We have no money to deal with break-ins," Mrs Dey said.
She said she has an idea of who was responsible but would not elaborate. "It is very sad when you are trying to do good work in the community for people to do this."
Some of the worst damage was in the whanau support room, which had been recently refurbished. Half a wall had been smashed in, as well as several doors and windows.
"We had spent six months fundraising to get the money to upgrade our whanau room, then this happens."
In another incident in the hall, a church group had $6000 worth of music and sound equipment stolen.
Mrs Dey said she would like to thank all the businesses who have given donations to help the organisation. If you can offer further help, contact Mrs Dey on (06) 343 5015.