Photo: RNZ
The telecommunications company One NZ has condemned another arson attack on one of its mobile towers in Wānaka.
Police are investigating the fire in Upton Street on Tuesday night, following a number of similar attacks on telco infrastructure in recent months.
One NZ said the Wānaka site had been destroyed and it would be at least a month before the mobile site was rebuilt.
The damage was still being assessed but the company estimated the damage bill to be around $100,000.
One NZ spokesperson Nicky Preston said other sites were helping to provide mobile coverage but it would be "degraded", causing congestion at peak times.
"This reckless behaviour puts the safety of our communities at risk. With reduced mobile coverage in parts of the area, residents and visitors will experience disruptions to service. However, One NZ customers will still be able to make 111 calls thanks to industry-wide emergency protocols," she said.
"We're working urgently to restore full coverage as soon as possible, but with connectivity now being essential to live, work and play online, this will impact locals and visitors to Wānaka. We're asking the community to help us stop these acts of vandalism - if you see or know anything, please report it to police immediately."
A Fire and Emergency investigator was examining the site.
Spark also confirmed an attempted arson attack on Connexa's cell tower in downtown Wānaka on Wednesday, although it said there was limited damage and coverage had not been disrupted.
Police were investigating two suspicious fires that knocked two cell towers offline in Albert Town, affecting coverage for One NZ and Spark customers in September.
A Spark spokeswoman said the telco used a temporary cell tower on wheels to restore coverage while repairs were done but coverage had now been restored to the permanent site.
"Spark and Connexa condemn attacks on cell towers, as they are critical infrastructure essential for the safety and connectivity of our communities. We encourage anyone with information to contact the police to assist them with them enquiries," they said.
In July vandals badly damaged a cell tower along State Highway 8 through the Lindis Pass.
Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers said the attacks showed a complete disregard for community safety and infrastructure.
"I am deeply concerned and disappointed by the recent acts of vandalism targeting mobile infrastructure in our community," he said. "The deliberate destruction of a One NZ cellsite in downtown Wānaka - the second such attack in as many weeks - is not only reckless, but it puts the safety and wellbeing of our residents and visitors at risk.
"This is now a police matter, and I urge anyone with information to come forward and report it immediately. We must stand together as a community to prevent further harm and ensure those responsible are held to account."
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