A man has been charged after a cultural gateway leading into Kaitāia south was beheaded and other parts of the structure vandalised.
The orongo carving at Moerua Park in South Rd - Kaitāia's only carved pouwhenua - had one of its heads cut off and other parts of the structure sawn in half last Friday.
The 61-year-old local man was arrested yesterday after police were tipped off by the public following an appeal and the release of CCTV footage on Monday.
He is due to appear in the Kaitāia District Court today charged with intentional damage.
Police said orongo represented unity and peace, and is the community's taonga.