The theft of trees and shrubbery across Thames-Coromandel is costing ratepayers thousands of dollars in clean-up bills.

Mayor Peter Revell has slammed the perpetrators, saying plant thefts from a cemetery were “particularly low” and there was also a case where donated replacement trees were stolen too.

“This is not a victimless crime – it costs the community, it costs ratepayers, and it’s just disrespectful.”

Two kōwhai were recently stolen from Ōpito Bay, with no guarantee of replacements due to budget constraints, Revell said.

“Here’s an example where we’re having to spend unnecessarily. Even if we don’t plant new shrubs, there’s remediation work that needs to happen and that’s the frustration.

“Apart from that, I think it’s just destroying something beautiful,” Revell told Local Democracy Reporting.

“Some kind person donated replacement trees, then thieves came and took those as well. It leaves a really sour taste in the mouth.”

Titoki, ornamental pears and native grasses had also been dug up from the Omahu cemetery, leaving Thames-Coromandel District Council facing a replacement bill and a mess to clean up.

“I think most people would agree that stealing from a cemetery is a particularly low thing to do.”

Thames-Coromandel District Council Mayor Peter Revell says this behaviour cannot continue. Photo / Mark Taylor, Waikato Times

The council believes more than one person is behind the thefts, given the number of plants involved and the fact there’s more than 100km between the locations.

“Our green spaces are for everyone to enjoy, so when people steal from them, they’re stealing from the whole community,” Revell said.

“It’s not like it’s an epidemic ... we just don’t want it to escalate because it would be something that would be really noticeable, and obviously we don’t want that.”

The stealing spree comes as the district braces for a summer influx of visitors, which swells the population of small towns over the warmer months.

The council will notify police of every instance of tree theft, and said all council staff and contractors working with plants will have identification and be in marked cars.

Revell said any suspicious activity should be reported to the police immediately.

“My message to the public is: please be alert and if you see that sort of behaviour going on, please give the police a call and let them know.”

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