Who tramped 20km to vandalise a hut with swastikas?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Police are investigating the “senseless” and “sickening” vandalism of a restored backcountry hut on the West Coast, which was smashed up and daubed with swastikas.

Kirwans Hut, near Reefton, is only accessible via a 20km journey along an advanced level tramping track and had been restored last year by volunteers.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) reported the vandalism to police after being alerted to it by a hut visitor in January.


Paint that had been stored on site was used to paint swastikas on the roof, external walls, water tank and toilet. The toilet was also broken, guttering smashed, the boardwalk broken and a “general mess” was made inside.

DOC Western South Island operations director Mark Davies said the damage was senseless, sickening and extremely disappointing for DOC, the Backcountry Trust, which upgraded the hut, and trampers using the facility.

“The Backcountry Trust reroofed Kirwans last year as one of their Jobs for Nature projects. Four people did the work over four days with around 200 hours of labour in total. I know the team was particularly proud of how well the hut came up through their efforts,” Davies said.

“Kirwans is a popular hut and used a lot over summer. Our DOC team put in a great deal of effort in the lead-up to Christmas to ensure it was accessible.”

Not only will repairing the damage be costly, but it will take rangers away from other essential work as they clear it up, he added.

Kirwans Hut sits on a 40km advanced tramping loop in Victoria Forest Park, which takes an estimated two to three days to complete.

The DOC website states: “The walk up to Kirwans Hut is one of New Zealand's classic overnight tramps... There are some incredible historic relics to be seen in this area including the Kirwans Reward mine, an aerial ropeway and the Lord Brassey stamper battery. The well-formed track up to the hut was originally hand crafted by miners.”

Reacting to pictures of the damage posted on social media, one Reefton local commented: “I am freaking furious at this stupidity! ... If you have any info please pass it on this is not OK and should not be tolerated.”

Police asked anyone with any information about the vandalism to call them on 105 or go online to 105.police.govt.nz and cite case file number: 240116/7979.

Kirwans Hut remained open and all facilities were usable.