ISSUE
Friday, April 10, 2026
Volume 17 . Issue 14
Police have arrested a 61-year old man over offensive graffiti located outside a Papatoetoe school last weekend. Police said enquiries were made throughout the week.
Inspector Dave Christoffersen, Counties Manukau West Area Commander, said a local man was arrested this morning.
“Given the threatening nature of the graffiti, our team has been making enquiries throughout the week which has led to a quick arrest,” he said in a statement.
The 61-year-old Papatoetoe man has been charged with offensive behaviour and wilful damage under the Summary Offences Act.
He will appear in the Manukau District Court today.
Police were investigating a report after “Kill All Indian” graffiti was spray-painted outside Papatoetoe Central School on 11 April. It was being treated as a “hate-motivated crime”.
The incident raised concerns about safety within the Indian community, particularly among students in the South Auckland suburb. Papatoetoe Central School caters to primary school students aged five to eleven.
Inspector Christoffersen said Police are aware the incident has caused concern among communities.
“I can reassure the community that we have assessed this particular event as an isolated incident and that tere is no wider risk to the community,” he said.
“We have made this assessment with information obtained through the investigation and after interviewing the man who has been charged.
“I am unable to go into the specifics of this, as we now need to let the court process take its course," he added.
Police have arrested a 61-year old man over offensive graffiti located outside a Papatoetoe school last weekend. Police said enquiries were made throughout the week.
Inspector Dave Christoffersen, Counties Manukau West Area Commander, said a local man was arrested this morning.
“Given the...
Police have arrested a 61-year old man over offensive graffiti located outside a Papatoetoe school last weekend. Police said enquiries were made throughout the week.
Inspector Dave Christoffersen, Counties Manukau West Area Commander, said a local man was arrested this morning.
“Given the threatening nature of the graffiti, our team has been making enquiries throughout the week which has led to a quick arrest,” he said in a statement.
The 61-year-old Papatoetoe man has been charged with offensive behaviour and wilful damage under the Summary Offences Act.
He will appear in the Manukau District Court today.
Police were investigating a report after “Kill All Indian” graffiti was spray-painted outside Papatoetoe Central School on 11 April. It was being treated as a “hate-motivated crime”.
The incident raised concerns about safety within the Indian community, particularly among students in the South Auckland suburb. Papatoetoe Central School caters to primary school students aged five to eleven.
Inspector Christoffersen said Police are aware the incident has caused concern among communities.
“I can reassure the community that we have assessed this particular event as an isolated incident and that tere is no wider risk to the community,” he said.
“We have made this assessment with information obtained through the investigation and after interviewing the man who has been charged.
“I am unable to go into the specifics of this, as we now need to let the court process take its course," he added.
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