Vandals hit Te Arai carpark

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The Auckland Regional Council recently earned some valuable brownie points in fencing off the parking area at Te Arai beach with a well-constructed boundary of tantalised posts and sturdy rope line for both beautification and protection between the parking and picnic areas, and the beachside plantings.

Unfortunately this pristine spot (pictured) was needlessly defaced by vandals last week who chainsawed the posts off at varying levels, chopped off and stole a long length of the rope border and left ugly holes and debris from crudely made fire pits. The barriers at the car park have been pushed off their retaining posts and the fishing regulation signs have also been removed.

This is a favourite spot for swimmers and surfers on a year round basis. Unfortunately overnight campers and damage such as this is putting a lot of people off.

Notification to the ARC by a concerned local resident has brought little interest to date.

It is unrealistic to have the area policed on a regular basis but it is also saddening that some people have little better to do than cause such destruction to this popular area.

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