Department of Conservation pleads for end to sign vandalism

Thursday 30 October 2025 · 8 outlets · 6 reports · updated Thu 30 Oct 2025, 7:22pm

In this story Department of Conservation

The Department of Conservation is urging the public to stop damaging its signage, which has been shot, graffitied, and stolen. Over 900 signs in the South Island alone require repair or replacement. This destruction is creating safety risks and diverting significant financial resources away from conservation work.

How they headlined it

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1. StuffThu 30 Oct 2025, 1:14pm

   ‘Stop wrecking our signs’: More than 900 DOC signs vandalised in South Island alone (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsThu 30 Oct 2025, 1:30pm

   Tagged and shot up: DOC plea to 'leave the signs alone' (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldThu 30 Oct 2025, 1:47pm

   DoC pleads with vandals to stop damaging signs as repair costs soar (opens in new tab)

4. Waikato Times via The PressThu 30 Oct 2025, 2:55pm

   DOC issues public plea after more than 900 signs damaged (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab), The Press (opens in new tab)

5. RNZThu 30 Oct 2025, 7:17pm

   Bullet holes and graffiti: Sign vandalism costing Department of Conservation over $500k a year (opens in new tab)

6. Otago Daily TimesThu 30 Oct 2025, 7:22pm

   Sign vandalism costing DOC over $500k per year (opens in new tab)