Community anger at vandalism of War Memorial in Central Hawke's Bay
The vandalism of a War Memorial in Central Hawke’s Bay has been met with anger in the community at the “senseless act”.
The war memorial, at Hātuma near Waipukurau, was damaged on Friday night. The bronze plaque on the front of the memorial has been struck several times and severely damaged.
Police told Hawke’s Bay App that they received a report of damage done to a bronze plate on a cenotaph on Settlement Road, Hatuma on Saturday morning.
“The damage is believed to have occurred overnight Friday. Police are currently assessing potential lines of enquiry,” police said.
Peter Jackson, the RSA’s District President for Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay and East Coast said today that the local community was upset by the damage and although a plan was already being put in place, it wouldn’t be possible to repair the damage before Anzac Day.
“It’s just unbelievable that anyone could have so little respect for this memorial, for those from this community who served and gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars,” said Jackson.
Contacted by Hawke’s Bay App for comment, the Mayor of Central Hawke’s Bay Alex Walker said: “How on earth does something like that even enter someone's head, let alone do it!?”
“I am angry and so very sad to think that person has been in our community, particularly as we are close to Anzac Day where our memorials are the centrepiece to such an important occasion. We will work with the community and RSA on options for how we move forward.”
Jackon said that as soon as they learned of the damage, they had contacted Walker.
“We’ve put in place a plan to repair the damage, but with Anzac Day in less than two weeks there’s not enough time to have the repairs completed before then. The damaged plaque will remain in place to ensure those from the District who served can be represented and honoured.”
The RSA says that the damage at the Hātuma War Memorial follows an increase in vandalism at War Memorials across the country, with both the Bridge of Remembrance in Christchurch, and the National War Memorial in Wellington recently being defaced by protestors.
“The RSA supports New Zealanders’ right to protest, but memorials are not the place to do it. War memorials and cenotaphs across the country were built as a place of commemoration, to pay respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.”
“Any damage to a memorial is an incredible show of disrespect for the fallen and the community they represent. Regardless of the statement you want to make, whether it’s in protest or just an act of stupidity, we ask that you show some respect and stay away from New Zealand’s War Memorials,” said Jackson.
