Damage to the community-significant Whareroa Farm wall by a vehicle which ploughed into it after an abandoned police pursuit is being repaired by the original stone masons.
Police saw the vehicle travelling south on the Kāpiti Expressway between Waikanae and Paraparaumu in excess of 180kmh on the morning of January 26.
They attempted to stop the vehicle before deeming the risk too great to pursue and stopped following it shortly before it crashed into the wall.
Stone mason Sascha Wassong along with Simon Fern created the wall in 2011 with a number of volunteers working closely with the late Leon Kiel, who was one of the leaders for the development of the farm.
Created as "a symbol for the saving of Whareroa Farm as a reserve for all the community," Whareroa Guardians' Ann Evans said Sascha and Simon donated their time and expertise to the wall when it was first built.
"They were assisted by many volunteers who carried rocks, carried water in buckets from the stream, mixed concrete and placed stones under supervision, while others kept everyone supplied with nourishment and drink."
Rocks and tōtara gate posts were donated for the wall, the stones were blessed by kaumātua, and the Department of Conservation donated $2000 with a similar sum raised by the Whareroa Guardians for the project.
Damage to the wall. Photo / Rosalie Willis
The wall was originally built to a high standard with special care taken in laying the foundations and reinforcement with plenty of cement, despite water having to be bucketed from the stream to mix the concrete.
This time there will be a reliable piped water supply making it easier for the volunteers and DoC will again be contributing towards costs of the materials.
"We are really excited Sascha and Simon have offered to repair the damage pro bono, with volunteer support as before," Ann said.
"This is a huge gift to the community and to the memory of Leon Kiel, who had many of the original concepts for Whareroa."
Sascha said, "I was initially contacted by the trust to give a quote for how much it would cost to repair the wall as they thought the person who went into it would have insurance".
"But it turns out they didn't, and I thought it needed to be done so I said I would help out again and get together with other volunteers to repair the wall.
"It has a lot of significance to the Whareroa Farm community.
"It's important to have it at the entrance as a memorial wall to all the people who fought for the farm."
They plan to repair the wall over three Saturdays in June.
