Mamaku Residents Demand Immediate Action as Hoons Cause Chaos with Burnouts and Vandalism

Residents of Mamaku, a small village located 20km north of Rotorua, are increasingly frustrated as illegal street racers and hoons continue to disrupt their lives with dangerous and destructive behavior. Burnouts, doughnuts, fireworks, and vandalism have become a nightly occurrence, leaving the community in a state of fear and unrest.

Every other night, groups of unruly motorists gather at the intersection of State Highway 5 and Maraeroa Rd, as well as Oturoa Rd, causing chaos. The road is littered with skid marks, burnt tyre remnants, and debris, creating a hazardous environment for both residents and passing vehicles.

One local business owner, who chose to remain anonymous, reported that his business sign was deliberately destroyed, costing him around $3,000. He expressed deep concern over the rising danger, especially after rainfall, when vehicles can skid for longer distances without immediate damage to their tyres.

"There have already been several near-misses involving trucks and buses traveling through the area at night in poor weather, only to unexpectedly encounter groups of cars performing burnouts and doughnuts in the middle of the intersection. It’s only a matter of time before a serious or fatal accident occurs," he said.

Residents have also reported significant distress caused by the noise and destruction. The combination of screeching tyres, loud exhausts, and fireworks has disturbed the farming community and even affected animals in nearby paddocks. "The majority of our community is fed up with the persistent noise, property damage, and blatant disregard for safety," one resident said.

The situation has also led to a growing sense of frustration with the lack of police response. "While there appears to be consistent enforcement of speed limits in the name of road safety, there is little to no effective action taken against these dangerous gatherings. Residents frequently report being told that no units are available, or that the matter is already being handled - yet the problem persists," said another.

Local resident Rachel Bidois highlighted the impact on small communities. "Burnouts are a national problem, but they have a greater impact in small places such as Mamaku. The people doing the skids and leaving the roads in an absolute state are also very intimidating, so a lot of people just hide behind closed curtains. For the few of us that stand up, we have become a target, sadly." She also pointed out that the problem had worsened recently, likely due to a few individuals returning to the area and "playing up merry hell."

Inspector Phil Gillbanks, Rotorua area prevention manager, acknowledged the public's frustration and stated that police are working to stop antisocial road-user behavior. "Inquiries are ongoing and all reports made to police by the public help us. Police and the New Zealand Transport Agency would explore physical interventions, such as bollards and guardrails, to see if they might discourage antisocial behavior," he said.

Residents are urging for immediate and meaningful action before a tragedy occurs. "The surface is littered with chunks of rubber and sharp steel belts from shredded tyres. The road markings are obscured or destroyed, making it difficult and unsafe to identify stop signs, turning bays, and center lines. It paints a very poor picture of our city," one resident said.

As the community continues to grapple with the growing issue, the call for stronger enforcement and community engagement has never been louder.