Rings of ripped up grass and clumps of dirt have been left at Te Aroha cemetery after vandals used the sacred grounds as a playground.

Matamata-Piako District Council discovered the damage and describe it as the 'ultimate disrespect”.

And it's not the first time incidents like this have happened - the grounds have been hit twice before in the span of six months.

Council says while it's 'hard at work” trying to cope with weather related matters, to be hit again is 'extremely frustrating”.

'I'm just really disappointed in this type of vandalism...it's pretty galling,” says district mayor Adrienne Wilcock.

It appears the vandals entered the cemetery through a neighbouring farm, but in the past bollards have been torn down or gates broken to get in, says council.

The skid marks and doughnuts at the Te Aroha Cemetery are also reminiscent of a 2022 crime at the Hautapu cemetery near Cambridge.

There, vandals drove over a grass area, berms and a grave, causing $3000 worth of harm - but those responsible were eventually caught and charged.

Someone has 'gone to a lot of effort to cause mindless vandalism” in the recent case at Te Aroha Cemetery, says the council.

”Do you know what's worse than storm damage – intentional damage.”

”Our teams put a lot of work into maintaining the cemetery as a peaceful resting place, and it's disappointing to repeatedly have to deal with this wilful damage.”

The damage is costly, with more than $10,000 coming out of ratepayers' back pocket.

Wilcock says it creates added pressure and inconvenience that the public shouldn't have to deal with.

But it also raises the question of whether they need security cameras at the site, which will be more expense.

Cemeteries are 'sacred places” she says, and it's a shame vandals are targeting it.

”It's an unbudgeted cost, and it's a burn to the ratepayer... At the end of the day it's just taking money away from other things.”

Police received a report about the destruction of property at the Stanley Rd cemetery.

They are 'appalled at the disregard for other people's property and reckless driving” and are investigating the crime.

'Police attended the scene, carried out scene examination and spoke with the victim.There are currently no lines of enquiry.”

Photos of the damage left Te Aroha councillor Russell Smith disgusted and he says the desecration of the grounds is the work of opportunists who have 'no respect” for the area.

”I think families will be absolutely disgusted,” he says.

Smith is at a loss when it came to a solution, but he wants the culprits found.

”I had heard about earlier acts of vandalism, I just don't know what we can do about, how to stop them, they just seem to do what they want, when they want.

”It's just heartbreaking what they are doing... Obviously I'd like to see them caught and pay for repairs.”

Council is seeking any information from the public that could assist in finding those responsible.

'If you have information on who did this please pass it on to the Te Aroha Police. If you ever witness vandalism taking place, please call 111.”

-Te Aorewa Rolleston/Stuff.