Rotorua graffiti attacks confirm extent of the problem

The reported graffiti attacks on a Rotorua superette show the time for action on graffiti vandalism is long overdue, Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis says. The owner of the superette is so frustrated with the repeated attacks that he is calling for vigilante action.

Sir Barry says politicians in Parliament have had their heads in the sand on the issue. "There should have been law changes long ago to stop this tidal wave of ugliness that's despoiling communities up and down the country.

"I am pleased at the concerned response by local politicians to the plight of the Rotorua superette owner, but why has it taken them so long to realise there's a problem?"

Manukau has a major graffiti issue which is costing the city millions of dollars a year. The Manukau City Council has legislation going through Parliament which, if passed into law, would allow a clampdown on graffiti vandalism and tagging in the city. The Local Bill would bring in tougher penalties and restrict access by minors to spray paint cans, but it would only apply in Manukau. It recently passed its second reading and has two more stages to go through before it becomes law.

Sir Barry says communities throughout New Zealand are crying out for more powers to deal with the problem but politicians have ignored their concerns. "That is why we initiated our Local Bill. If Parliament wouldn't give us the tools we need, we had to do it ourselves. Even our local MPs could have done something in earlier years, but didn't."

He says the Government recently put a proposal to him to fund a nationwide graffiti strategy if the Local Bill was withdrawn. "But they only proposed to put in $3 million per year to fund it. That's ridiculous. It's chickenfeed. In Manukau alone the council spends a million dollars a year removing graffiti, with private businesses and home owners spending millions more.

"Our best hope is for the Bill to get through Parliament and become law, and I am appealing to the local Member of Parliament for Rotorua to support it. I am certain her community does."

Sir Barry has received numerous messages of support and congratulations for the stand taken by the Manukau City Council from mayors and councils around the country.

ENDS

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