Teen arrested for drunken desecration into Hamilton school Anzac tribute

File photo / Mark Mitchell, New Zealand Herald

A teenager has been arrested for a drunken desecration of an Anzac tribute made by Hamilton school students.

The white crosses, displayed in the grounds of Berkley Intermediate School in Hillcrest, were vandalised overnight according to Hamilton police Sergeant Jonathan Clark.

Mr Clark said the school pupils had spent weeks studying the significance of Anzac Day and each cross marked the memory of a fallen soldier with his name.

"Staff at the school told us it was a huge and meaningful learning experience for the students and then at about 3am today, an intoxicated 17-year-old male desecrated the memorial."

CCTV footage and co-operation from the school community helped police capture the alleged culprit this morning.

He was due to appear in the Hamilton District Court this afternoon.

Mr Clark said the thoughtless act and the effort by the school students to mark the Gallipoli landings' 100-year-anniversary, resonated with his staff.

"While the children will be contemplating a sense of loss from this senseless act they will also be learning and experiencing a real sense of comradeship right now and that people are held to account for their actions."