Vandalism and theft targeting weather and flood monitoring stations in the Taranaki region are raising concerns about public safety, according to the Taranaki Regional Council (TRC).
Repeated Attacks on Critical Infrastructure
The latest incident involved damage to a monitoring site on the Waiwhakaiho River near Mitre 10 Mega and The Valley in New Plymouth. This marks the second time this specific site has been vandalized in three months, and the third incident since the station was installed in 2020.
Craig Pickford, the TRC’s environmental data team leader, stated that damage to the equipment could lead to delays in public warnings during severe weather. He emphasized the Waiwhakaiho River’s tendency to change rapidly after heavy rainfall, making reliable, real-time data essential for alerting those living and working nearby to potential threats.
The Impact of Lost Data
In the most recent incident, the station’s door was ripped off, and equipment was stolen. While acknowledging that some damage to monitoring stations is unavoidable due to severe weather, Pickford expressed difficulty understanding why anyone would intentionally jeopardize public safety. Other monitoring sites, including those on the Waiwhakaiho at Rimu Street and the Mangati at SH3, have also been targeted.
The lower Waiwhakaiho gauge has since been repaired. Police are currently investigating the latest incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of data do these monitoring stations collect?
The stations provide real-time environmental data about rainfall, river levels, wind speed, air temperature, water quality, and river flow.
How often have these stations been targeted?
The monitoring site on the Waiwhakaiho River near Mitre 10 Mega and The Valley has been targeted three times since 2020, with two incidents occurring in the last three months. Other stations at Waiwhakaiho at Rimu Street and Mangati at SH3 have also been targeted.
What is the TRC’s response to these incidents?
The TRC has warned that the vandalism and theft could put people’s lives at risk and has urged those responsible to consider the consequences of their actions. Police are investigating.
Given the ongoing incidents, it is possible that the TRC may need to increase security measures at monitoring sites, or explore alternative technologies to ensure data continuity. It is also likely that police will increase patrols in the areas surrounding these critical infrastructure points. However, without further action, the region remains vulnerable to potential delays in vital flood warnings.
