The only remaining building of a once-bustling historic gold mining town has been damaged in a disappointing display of vandalism.
Work to repair the Serpentine Church, in a remote part of Central Otago, has begun after it was trashed in mid-February.
DOC Central Otago Operations Manager Charlie Sklenar says windows were smashed, artefacts damaged and thrown around, and rubbish left all through the church.
"Serpentine Church is the last intact building in the remote Serpentine Reserve mining area and has stood strong for more than 150 years.
"Most of the Serpentine Reserve's rich heritage is no longer visible, hidden beneath the tussock, so buildings like this present a tangible connection the region's history. To have wilful damage inflicted upon it like this is upsetting."
DOC staff have undertaken initial assessment of the site and completed urgent repairs to secure the site from further damage.
"Our first priority has been to make the building watertight, so there's no further damage to the interior. Work to restore it fully will take time, and consideration to heritage requirements will be front of mind."
Heritage repair work takes time and skill, and it's not as simple as just replacing a window, Charlie says.
"We will draw on experienced people to help complete this work in a way that honours the original building, although every replacement takes the site further from its original material. It's really disappointing a heritage site that's stood all these years can have its integrity chipped away by senseless vandalism."
Although the vandalism is disappointing, the response from the community has been heartening, says Charlie.
"This neighbouring communities take pride over these heritage sites as important parts of their local stories. Once the damage became known, we had people offering to get stuck in and help with repairs. Heritage restoration is very particular work, so we'll engage qualified specialists for this mahi but we're grateful for the care shown by the community.
"The best thing people can do is continue to advocate for their local historic sites. Visit them, enjoy them, and take the time to learn about what makes them so special. If you see something out of place, report it and encourage others to always be naturing responsibly."
Background
Serpentine Reserve is a spectacular and well-preserved mining area on the Rough Ridge mountains.
An all-day walk or mountain bike ride, this significant and isolated scenic reserve has a feeling of remoteness. It shows many of the gold extraction technologies of the 19th century: a stamper battery, water wheel and church.
More than 1,000 m above sea level, the Serpentine Church was the most elevated in New Zealand when it opened in 1873. Today it is the only remnant of a once-bustling village. Much of the town's rich heritage is hidden beneath the tussock: tailings, waterraces, dams, sod pits and the remains of buildings.
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