Police are treating the vandalism of a rainbow pedestrian crossing on Auckland’s Karangahape Rd this morning as a “hate crime” and have carried out a search of a property in the city’s south.
White paint was spread across the design, which depicts the LGBTTQIA+ flag.
The incident was reported to police at around 3.20am.
Police have labelled the paint attack a hate crime.
The prominent rainbow pride symbol was the second such crossing to be vandalised in New Zealand this week, after Gisborne’s Gladstone Rd pride crossing was also painted white in a staged protest.
“Police have no tolerance for reports of this nature, which appear to directly target a particular sector of our diverse community, and we are treating this as a hate crime,” Auckland City Central Area Commander Inspector Grant Tetzlaff said.
Police also executed a search warrant at a property in Flat Bush this afternoon, he said.
“Police attended an address in Flat Bush, which was believed to be linked to the owners of the registered vehicle.”
While a number of items were seized, police are yet to locate the vehicle involved, he said.
“We are calling on those responsible for this incident to come forward and speak with us.
“We are aware of the hurt and confusion from the community at what has occurred and we want to reassure the public we are committed to holding those involved to account.”
Tetzlaff made an appeal for information earlier today, saying that “a group of three people have poured paint on the rainbow crossing before leaving the area in a vehicle”.
“The vehicle had the registration plates removed and the persons had their faces concealed.”
Police issued a number of images taken from CCTV footage in the area, asking for help identifying the people involved.
“The vehicle is a distinctive, high gloss grey or white colour, with black roof racks and mag wheels,” Tetzlaff said.
Anyone with information was asked to call 105.
