A pile of household rubbish dumped at a cemetery in south Auckland has left residents upset and disgusted.
By Torika Tokalau of Local Democracy Reporting
It is believed the rubbish, including a doll house, soft toys and empty boxes, were dumped at the Ōtāhuhu Cemetery over the weekend.
A resident who came across the rubbish on Tuesday morning said he was shocked to see such disrespect at a sacred place.
"No one wants to see rubbish being dumped at a place where their loved ones rest," he said.
He posted it on the community’s Facebook page, where many members expressed their disgust and disappointment at the illegal dumping.
His colleague quickly reported it to council but the rubbish was still there on Wednesday.
He said it was the first time he’d seem illegal dumping at the cemetery.
"It's just appalling, I was angry, frustrated ... it’s an old cemetery and it holds a lot of loved ones for the Ōtāhuhu community.”
Tracey Mata’afa, who has lived in the area for almost three years, said she was disgusted with the illegal dumping in the area.
"They usually dump rubbish... beds, trolleys... in the stream nearby but this is the first I've seen it in the cemetery itself," Mata'afa said.
"It's so sad, there are people resting there. It makes me want to cry because I know I wouldn't want that for my loved one."
According to the council, if a person or people are caught illegally dumping rubbish, they could be fined of up to $400, or taken to court.
John Tautua'a said he was surprised that it still hadn’t been collected.
"I saw it on Sunday when I went to see my Nanna."
Amy Bryan said her dad was buried at the Ōtāhuhu Cemetery and was saddened by what she saw.
"What's wrong with these people?"
Manukau ward councillor Alf Filipaina said "there’s one word I would use to describe this and its disgusting. That is exactly what these people are, they are disgusting.
"Illegal dumping in general is disgusting but to dump rubbish at a cemetery, where we put our loved ones to rest... it’s just disgusting and I hope they get caught."
He said people had ways of disposing their rubbish and a quick search on the council website could come up with results on where to go.
"Do what everybody else does and dispose of rubbish the right way. I'm just shocked that people would do something like this."
Auckland Council has been approached for a comment.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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