Van thefts rile Kawakawa Primary School

UNHAPPY: Kawakawa Primary School kids, from left, Molly Perry, 9, Luke Dent, 9, Miria Faulkner-Luke, 9, Otulea Latu, 9, and Qaiden Norman, 8, will miss out on school trips and sports events after two school vans were stolen. PHOTO/ PETER DE GRAAF

Kawakawa kids will miss out on school trips and sporting tournaments after two school vans were stolen and torched in just two weeks.

The first theft occurred on the weekend of October 17-18. The van was taken from a car port at Kawakawa Primary School, used to smash down gates on the nearby cycle trail, then burnt out in Moerewa.

The remaining two vans were then locked in a garage on the school grounds but on Saturday night someone broke in and stole another. It was found burnt out near Opua on Sunday.

Year 4 pupil Qaiden Norman, 8, said the thefts had put a stop to some school sports.

"It was mean of them because now we can't go to some of the places we play rippa rugby, soccer and other sports. If we did this to them, they wouldn't like it," he said.

Principal Liz Ross said the school vans were old - each had clocked up 15 years' use - but essential.

"The big kick is that we have school camps coming. That's when we'll really need them. It's an added blow at this time of year."

Teachers were now trying to arrange alternative transport. Borrowing parents' vehicles wasn't an option because few Kawakawa people had a vehicle they could spare for several days for a school camp.

The remaining van was now stored at board member's home. Ms Ross said one van was not enough for a "sports-proud" school of 205 children who travelled weekly to Kaikohe for touch tournaments or, in summer, to Kerikeri for netball.

Full insurance for such old vans was not economic so they had third-party cover only. The school would try to find money for replacements but it would be difficult, especially after a recent funding cut following the school's surprise elevation from decile 1 to 2.

Staff had tried to keep the thefts from the pupils but parents were "up in arms".

"The second van, that was the last kick in the guts. They've had enough. In the end it's the children that will suffer."

Ms Ross urged anyone with information about the thefts to call the school or, better still, the police. She also asked locals to help keep an eye on school, especially during weekends.

The first theft coincided with a spate of vandalism at Kawakawa Primary. At least seven windows were broken, wall panels were kicked in, and a drum kit and two electric guitars were taken from the hall.

Sergeant Kevin Milne, of Kawakawa police, said the investigation into the thefts was ongoing. He urged anyone with information to call the Kawakawa station on (09) 404 3150.