A Ngati Kahungunu Maori craftsman whose carved post was attacked with a chainsaw suggests the works could be protected by using hidden cameras.
Hugh Tareha was left heartbroken after one of his pou, or carved posts, in Taradale near Napier was ruined by a chainsaw last year.
He sought help from local iwi authority chair Roy Pewhairangi, of Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui a Orotu, and wants a hui set up to consider ways to stop vandals from damaging pou.
He says one idea would be to install eagle eyes - hidden cameras around pou to catch vandals and to act as a deterrent. Mr Tareha says it's an idea at this stage and isn't sure how it could be funded.
Changes are being made to avoid vandalism; in Rotorua, a post has been placed on a plinth after it was damaged by the use of a chainsaw two years ago, and at least one carving has been made out of steel.
