A rainbow crossing celebrating the LGBTQI+ community on Auckland's Karangahape Rd has been painted over following a similar action in Gisborne by Destiny Church members. Video / NZ Herald
Police are treating the vandalism of a rainbow pedestrian crossing on Karangahape Rd in Auckland as a “hate crime” and have executed a search warrant in relation to the incident.
Earlier today police released images of a vehicle and a suspect believed to be linked to the Karangahape Rd incident.
Auckland City Central area commander Inspector Grant Tetzlaf said inquiries into the incident were made this afternoon, including executing a search warrant at an address in East Auckland’s Flat Bush.
“Police attended an address in Flat Bush, which was believed to be linked to the owners of the registered vehicle.”
Terzlaf said several items of interest were seized, but police are yet to locate the vehicle.
“We are calling on those responsible for this incident to come forward and speak with us.”
The rainbow crossing on Karangahape Rd is still visible after being covered with white paint overnight. Photo / Michael Craig
Police said they were aware of the “hurt and confusion” from the community at what has occurred and reassured they are committed to holding those involved to account.
“Police have no tolerance for reports of this nature, which appear to directly target a particular sector of our diverse community, and we are treating this as a hate crime,” Tetzlaff said.
Local leaders were “very disappointed” by the act with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown calling it “disgraceful”.
Destiny Church leader Brain Tamaki earlier said he “doesn’t know” if his members were involved.
Police said the vandals went to great lengths to hide their identities, removing their registration plates and concealing their faces with balaclavas.
In an earlier statement, Tetzlaff said the paint was poured on the crossing at 3.20am.
Police are investigating a report of vandalism on the rainbow pedestrian crossing on Karangahape Rd. Photo / NZ Police
CCTV footage is being assessed to determine the identity of the vandals and police have released photos of the car and offenders in hopes the public can help as well.
“The vehicle is a distinctive, high gloss grey or white colour, with black roof racks and mag wheels,” Tetzlaff said.
“We have no tolerance for reports of this nature and when it appears to directly target a particular sector of our diverse community.”
Police have released images of the vandals to see if the public can help identify them. Photo / NZ Police
“This appalling act of vandalism happened at about 3.20am and we have done our best to minimise the damage.
“The crossing is an important part of the street that celebrates the rainbow community and we will be seeing what can be done to remediate it as soon as possible.”
The rainbow crossing in happier days, completed during the 2021 Auckland Pride Festival. Photo / John Nottage
A photo posted to social media site Reddit around 4am today showed the crossing completely covered in white paint.
Image posted to Reddit showing the white paint over Auckland's rainbow crossing on Karangahape Rd. Photo / Reddit
However, with rain in the city overnight, the paint has since been smeared along the road by traffic, with most of the rainbow now visible again.
White paint has been spread along the road and footpath by pedestrians and drivers after the rainbow crossing was painted over. Photo / Michael Craig
Local leaders ‘very disappointed’, Destiny Church does not confirm involvement
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says the painting is “disgraceful”.
“I’ve got no time for intolerance of people’s differences,” Brown said.
“Plus, this is just another form of graffiti on other people’s property that we will need to spend money fixing, which I hate.”
Auckland Central MP and Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said on X/Twitter that she was in touch with the relevant authorities to have the rainbow crossing fixed “immediately.
“It’s sad and bizarre some people are spending their energy suppressing simple symbols of the visibility and pride of our - my - rainbow community. You can’t paint over our existence. Love always wins.”
Swarbrick told the Herald she was in touch with Auckland Transport and the Karangahape Business Association to “get this fixed immediately”.
I am in touch with relevant authorities to have our Karangahape Rd rainbow crossing fixed immediately.
“They don’t know who they are messing with,” Swarbrick said.
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki doesn’t know if his members were involved.
“I did not have anything to do with that, but it looks like a copycat job because it was painted all white and it was like the Gisborne one,” Tamaki said.
He said the first he heard of the vandalism was on this morning’s news report.
Waitematā local board member and Karangahape resident Richard Northey is “very disappointed” by the paint.
He said the crossing is indicative of the vibrant and tolerant community on the road and to see it covered sends the opposite message.
The vandalism comes after members of Destiny Church painted over the rainbow crossing on Gisborne’s main street on Monday. The group were protesting a Rainbow Storytime event at the local library, where drag queens read stories to children.
