Damage to Treaty House already on way to being fixed

Damage to the historic Treaty House at Waitangi in Northland, will be almost impossible to spot by the end of the day.

A man was due in court today on numerous charges after a car was driven around the grounds by the flagstaff in front of the house, into a wooden pillar holding up one end of the verandah and through vegetable gardens at the back.

However, the Waitangi National Trust said today even an historic, 100-year-old vine originally thought to have been destroyed in the incident, had flourished with a good watering.

The vine was planted early last century and produced grapes used to make wine at the Treaty House, trust general manager Jeanette Richardson said.

She said the pillar was not badly damaged but had been removed and would be replaced by the end of the day.

An old, cast iron water pump mounted on a concrete base at the entrance to the 172-year-old building, was knocked over but was not damaged and would probably be restored to its original site, she said.

Ms Richardson said the incident had not put tourists off with more than 1000 visitors yesterday.

A similar number was expected today, she said.

- NZPA