‘Leave schools alone’: Residents rally after Ōtara classrooms ransacked

The recent break-ins at two Ōtara schools, only 750 metres apart, and a local preschool have led to calls for more security patrols and community vigilance during the 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 last weekend.

Rongomai Primary School and Tangaroa College were burgled and vandalised over the weekend, leaving windows damaged. Pictured is a broken classroom window at Rongomai. Photo/supplied

The incidents come after vandals hit several playgrounds and parks in the area in recent months, sparking calls from a local board leader for more security patrols.

The caretaker of Rongomai Primary, Phil Johnson, said he was frustrated and disgusted by the break-ins, particularly 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 several smashed windows.

The offenders broke in by ripping a fence, smashing double-glazed windows with hammers, and entering classrooms.

Principal of Tangaroa College Chris Bean with Business Manager Katrina Hunter. Bean says to those offending to leave schools alone. Hunter says this behaviour is detrimental to the students taking away their resources. Photo/PMN News/Mary Afemata

“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."

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 is clear: “Leave schools alone.”

He says schools are there to serve the community, and vandalism like this eats into already-strained budgets.

“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."

Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board Chair, Apulu Reece Autagavaia, says the root causes of antisocial behaviour and vandalism must be addressed. Photo/File

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 vandalising public parks, playgrounds, and schools is 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.

Tangaroa College's principal says the school is doing everything practical to ensure its safety and security. Photo/PMN News/Mary Afemata

“It’s disheartening that our Otara 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.”

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," Cook says.

"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 describes the actions of the perpetrators as mindless, suggesting they acted without purpose.

Between 7 and 8 December, the thieves targeted a primary school, high school, and preschool, 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."

An Ōtara Community Preschool was broken into over the weekend, resulting in shattered windows, damaged property, and several stolen items. Photo/police

If you have any information, you can contact the police online or call 105. You can also provide information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Isabel Evans, Hautū (Leader) Te Tai Raro (North) from the Ministry of Education says, “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 insurance and security arrangements.

The ministry provides funding through operational grants to address vandalism in ministry-owned buildings. More information can be found here.

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