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Public Toilets Damage Costs Kāpiti Ratepayers $160,000
['Te Pati Maori', 'New Zealand Government', 'New Zealand Labour Party', 'Green Party', 'Act New Zealand', 'Free Sp...', 'New Zealand Police', 'Vihan Dalal - Local Democracy Reporter', 'New Zealand Transport Agency', 'Hamilton City Council']
Scoop NZ - Regional
Public Toilets Damage Costs Kāpiti Ratepayers $160,000July 20, 2026Vandals damaged the public toilets along the Kāpiti Coast 27 times in a year, in one instance costing ratepayers $5000 for a smashed toilet pan, kicked-in door and smashed glass in an accessible toilet.
The Kāpiti Coast District Council said it spent up to $160,000 a year to fix damage at its community halls, changing rooms and public toilets.
In the 12 months to July, the council recorded 27 cases of damages to public toilets, including smashed toilet pans and purposely blocked pipes.
A senior official warned if vandalism continued, the council might not have enough money for repairs or to keep toilets open.
The council asked witnesses of any vandalism or suspicious behaviour around community facilities to report it to the police.