Vandals have targeted public toilets in Waitara, Urenui and Inglewood over the past week, as New Plymouth District Council’s repair bill for damaged facilities climbs to $45,000 this year.
The bill is up from $25,000 at the same point last year.
A photo released by the council showed one toilet floor covered in large shards of smashed white panelling and shredded paper towels.
A grey bin had been knocked on its side, its blue lid lying nearby, and a round white fitting lay broken in the middle of the floor.
The stainless steel toilet and basin appeared to have survived intact.
A council spokesperson said the damage was hitting residents in the pocket.
“Public toilet vandalism is costing our community thousands,” the spokesperson said.
Waitara and Urenui sit on the coast north-east of New Plymouth, while Inglewood is inland to the south-east, on State Highway 3.