Whangamata ratepayers will have to stand the $4000 cost of replacing and repairing a number of the Christmas surfing santas that were stolen or damaged during the holiday season.
Over a period of two weeks, vandals removed or damaged the famous surfing santas erected each year on power poles along the town's main street.
Five santas disappeared after vandals used a stolen ladder to climb up and remove them.
Two others were pulled down by vandals and thrown onto the property of local businesses.
Seven of the remaining 11 had arms or legs broken off by vandals in their attempt to pull the statuettes from the poles.