Ratepayers will have to stump up $1000 to clean and repair road signs trashed after a Kerikeri birthday party.
Seven road signs in the Inlet Rd/Wharau Rd area were spraypainted with birthday greetings and obscene symbols, three were knocked over, and one was snapped following the September 28 party.
One of the hosts, an 18-year-old girl, reported the damage to police and offered to clean the signs herself if the offenders did not own up. She was disappointed some of her "so-called friends" had spoiled what was otherwise a well-supervised party.
An Inlet Rd resident fed up with vandalism in the area has offered a $100 reward for information about the offenders. The latest damage included a stop sign, give way sign and corner chevrons, putting drivers unfamiliar with the road in danger, he said.
Far North District Council spokesman Richard Edmondson said contractors cleaned and re-erected the signs last week, estimating the work would cost about $1000. Replacing the signs would have cost over $2000.