Otago cell tower arson attacks

The story so far

Suspicious fires began damaging cell towers and data boxes in Albert Town, near Wānaka, in September, knocking two sites offline and affecting Spark and One NZ customers.^{22 Sep 2025} Police said the late-night fires on 20 September damaged a cell tower and two data boxes on Alison Ave, and they asked the public for help and video footage from the area.^{2 Oct 2025} Further fires followed, including one on Upton Street in Wānaka that destroyed a One NZ mobile site, which One NZ said would take about a month to rebuild; police described it as the third such attack in the region within a month.^{8 Oct 2025} Arson attacks on mobile towers were reported across Wānaka and the wider Otago region, and police asked the community to report suspicious behaviour.^{13 Oct 2025}

Latest

A 41-year-old man has been charged over the series of tower fires in Wānaka and Lindis Pass.^{24 Oct 2025}

What's next

The man is due to appear in Queenstown District Court on Friday.^{24 Oct 2025}

Key moments

1. 22 Sep 2025Albert Town fires take two cell sites offline, affecting Spark and One NZ.
2. 2 Oct 2025Police appeal for public help and footage after late-night Alison Ave fires.
3. 8 Oct 2025Upton Street fire destroys One NZ site; police call it the third attack.
4. 13 Oct 2025Arson attacks spread across Wānaka and wider Otago; community asked to report.
5. 24 Oct 202541-year-old man charged with arson and firearms offences over tower fires.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.