Break-ins at two Ōtara schools, just 750 metres apart, and a local preschool have led to calls for more security patrols and community vigilance during the school holidays.
Secret Santa presents and tuck shop food were among the items stolen, while the thieves left a trail of smashed windows and broken doors during the break-ins over the weekend.
The incidents come after vandals hit a number of playgrounds and parks around the area in recent months, sparking calls from a local board leader for more security patrols in the area.
Caretaker of Rongomai Primary, Phil Johnson, said he was frustrated and disgusted by the break-ins, particularly at the theft of Secret Santa gifts for the children.
“I was like, man, that’s just really sad, you took the kids’ presents – how low can you go?”
The damage at Rongomai included seven smashed windows.
The offenders broke in by ripping a fence, smashing double-glazed windows with hammers, and entering classrooms.
“We want to end the year on a high and not like this … it just kind of sucks.”
Johnson added that he hated the attitude of “it being just another day in South Auckland”.
“You think we expect to get broken into? We don’t. You know, we don’t want it, we don’t ask for it.”
‘Leave schools alone’
At Tangaroa College, principal Chris Bean said the break-in was the first since he began his tenure two years ago.
“I’m actually quite surprised it’s happened because we are a school of the community and so we expect people would be respectful, and they are, on the whole, about this space.”
Damaged windows and doors would need to be replaced. Some items were stolen, including food from the school’s tuck shop, intended for students.
Bean’s message was clear: “Leave schools alone.”
Schools are there to serve the community and vandalism like this eats into already stretched budgets, he said.
“It’s money coming out of our operations grant which doesn’t get spent on the students, which is our first priority.”
Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia said the break-ins highlight the importance of better protection of schools, especially during holidays when they are more vulnerable to vandalism and theft.
“We’ve raised this issue with our park staff and the police, and I’ve asked for more patrols in the area.
“Of course, we need security, of course, we need police, of course, we need governments, but the best answers do lie within our communities.”
He stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of this behaviour.
“If we don’t have that wraparound service to our young people, our vulnerable people, then this will happen.
“They go and hang out in places at all hours of the night and do silly stuff that affects everyone else in the community.”
Apulu says the minority who are vandalising public parks, playgrounds and schools are part of a bigger issue.
“That is a big, long-term issue, bigger than the council, but we’ll be pursuing this with government agencies and our community organisations to see if they know, if they’ve heard on the streets who they are and what wraparound services we can give those kids.”
Christina Stanley-Talimalo, the presiding board member for Rongomai Primary School, responded in a statement.
“It’s disheartening that our Ōtara school was targeted. We are calling on our community to help protect all schools during the Christmas period.
“Despite this setback, we are determined to end 2024 on a positive note, ensuring our tamariki can enjoy their holidays and look forward to the year ahead.”
‘Frankly disgusting’ – police
Inspector Rakana Cook confirmed police are investigating the weekend burglaries of two schools and an early childhood learning centre in Ōtara.
“This type of behaviour is quite frankly disgusting,” he said.
“This is an awful situation – a preschool has been left footing the bill for this crime, and children are now without their belongings and educational resources.”
He described the actions of the perpetrators as mindless, suggesting they acted without purpose.
The thieves targeted a primary school, high school, and preschool between December 7 and 8, forcing entry into several buildings, stealing items, breaking windows, and vandalising computers and learning equipment.
“The damage is estimated to be worth several thousand dollars.”
Isabel Evans, Hautū (Leader) Te Tai Raro (North) from the Ministry of Education said “It is deeply disappointing to see incidents of vandalism impacting schools and early learning centres”.
“They are vital parts of their communities, working hard to create welcoming and safe environments for their students, mokopuna, staff, and whānau.
“We’ve been in touch with both schools to offer assistance to repair damage to property. We encourage school and early learning communities to remain vigilant to ensure they remain safe spaces for tamariki to learn and grow.”
Most early childcare centres are private businesses with their own insurance and security arrangements.
The Ministry provides funding through operational grants to address vandalism to Ministry-owned buildings and more information can be found here.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
