A vandal recently cut through a padlock to remove a bollard from Tāneatua Cemetery so they could perform doughnuts on the wet grass in front of the grave sites.

As well as driving through the reserve area, the vandal also tipped wheelie bins over, spreading rubbish around the cemetery and on to State Highway 2.

The cemetery is one of five Whakatāne District Council owned and operated cemeteries in the district.

The council’s open spaces operations manager Ian Molony described the behaviour as “both disappointing and extremely disrespectful”.

“The council is aware of minor damage at Tāneatua Cemetery, involving some surface damage to the grass and rubbish scattered around the site.”

He said the incident had occurred overnight between June 2 and 3. At this stage there were no further details about what happened or who may have been responsible.

“Unfortunately, this type of behaviour does occur from time to time at this time of the year across council reserves.”

The council would continue to monitor the site, carry out any necessary repairs, and was hopeful it remained an isolated incident.

Hillcrest Cemetery, in Whakatāne, was another cemetery drivers treated disrespectfully from time to time.

“Vehicles are occasionally driven inappropriately within Hillcrest Cemetery.

“This generally occurs when there is no staff or public presence and sometimes following funerals,” Molony said.

“Where incidents are observed or reported, staff respond as appropriate and this is managed as part of our wider monitoring of the site.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.