Graffiti clean-up at new Auckland playground costs $22k

Cleaning up graffiti at a recently-opened South Auckland playground has cost ratepayers more than $20,000.

Repeated incidents of vandalism have damaged playgrounds in the area, including Hayman Park I Manu-kau Iho Noa playground.

Since the multi-million dollar playground opened in July last year, the council confirmed it has spent $22,000 removing graffiti.

Last financial year, the bill for the upkeep of the newly-established Hayman Park playground came to $141,830.

Officials say this funding, allocated through the council's repairs and maintenance budget, highlights the council's commitment to providing safe and enjoyable outdoor spaces.

Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said the repair bill is both costly and unnecessary.

"This is both damaging, senseless, and disgraceful - I mean, how low can you go destroying a place that children and families value and use on a regular basis?

"I hope the perpetrators find a more productive way to express themselves and leave our playgrounds and public spaces alone."

Fifteen other playgrounds have also been damaged, including Waenganui/Allenby Park in Papatoetoe, Otamariki Park in Ōtara, Sikkim Park in Clover Park, and East Tamaki Reserve.

Otara-Papatoetoe local board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says that the damage is an ongoing issue throughout the city where facilities need to be well-loved and looked after. Photo / File

Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says the board has appealed to the community to better care for these outdoor spaces and facilities.

He says the cost of cleaning up or repairing playgrounds could be used elsewhere.

He urged the public to report suspicious activities and actively participate in maintaining these spaces and facilities.

"We'd love to ensure these facilities are here for our community, but there's also a cost if people don’t look after it.”

Apulu says the damage is an ongoing problem citywide.

“There's damage across all facilities, across the whole city, but I'm talking about our local board in particular,” he says.

“We’re trying to instill in our people a sense of pride and responsibility for our spaces. And if we want to enjoy these spaces, let’s come together and call out those people who might be doing that sort of stuff."

He said people shouldn't put themselves in danger; instead, they should report issues to the council.

When discussing maintenance at Hayman Park, Apulu said the wear and tear part is a good problem.

"That shows that our people love it when we provide good facilities.

“That’s a problem that we don’t mind shouldering. There might be questions about better planning in the future - that they should have realised they needed more durable materials and things like that.”

Apulu says Hayman Park is one of many recently upgraded parks.

Eli Nathan, Auckland Council’s Head of Area Operations, says the Council is committed to keeping this popular playground a safe and enjoyable destination for children across Auckland. Photo / LinkedIn

Eli Nathan, the head of Area Operations at Auckland Council, says most costs are attributed to scheduled maintenance work.

It also includes minor repairs costing less than $1000, such as replacing damaged ropes, meshing, and equipment parts.

“There were 52 response jobs raised last year of this nature, which were completed at no additional cost to our standard contract for maintaining the park.

“In addition, $3375 has been required for more significant equipment repairs. This costing does not include graffiti, as this is removed on a separate contract,” Nathan says.

Hayman Park playground has recently reopened after undergoing maintenance earlier this month.

“It is always disappointing when enhanced community attractions like this are not looked after with pride, especially when significant investment has gone into creating them,” Nathan says.

“However, we continue to ensure this popular playground remains a safe, enjoyable community attraction for children from all over Auckland to enjoy this site.”

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