Reward offered over Waitomo Caves attack

Vandals daubed white paint on the tourist attraction. Picture / Amos Chapple

A $5000 reward has been offered for information on those responsible for splashing paint around the Waitomo Caves and permanently damaging the glow worm attraction.

Police today said they were no closer to finding the culprits behind the incident last December, despite a lengthy and extensive investigation.

They said cave operator Tourism Holdings Ltd had offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of an offender.

Vandals broke into the complex on December 28, splashing white paint onto New Zealand's most famous limestone formations and trying to set fire to paint and other chemicals left behind.

The caves, which attract an estimated 600,000 visitors a year, were closed for only one day, but Tourism Holdings said the damage disrupted business significantly and caused financial loss.

Sergeant Craig Lindstrom said police had spoken to dozens of people and there had been good co-operation from the public.

However, there were no strong leads and inquiries had been exhausted, and he hoped the reward would prompt someone to come forward with useful information.

He said anyone with information should contact him at Te Kuiti police station on (07) 87 81450.

"This was a significant incident that had a large impact not just on the business, but on the wider King Country community," he said.

"The Waitomo Caves are iconic and part of our lives in this district and many people were upset at this blatant attempt to destroy something regarded as a local treasure."

Mr Lindstrom said some of the paint was washed off the cave walls when the attack was first discovered.

However, much of it was splashed on to porous surfaces or in areas too delicate to use water or abrasive scrubbing.

Staff had been working meticulously removing the paint inch by inch.

The attack followed a fire two weeks earlier in which the ticket office, cafe, accommodation and souvenir shop at the caves' entrance were destroyed.

- NZPA