A distressing and ongoing saga unfolds at New Zealand's largest cemetery, where the graves of iconic Kiwi motorsport legend Bruce McLaren and his wife Patricia have become a target for repeated vandalism. This heart-wrenching story begins with a volunteer restorer, George Stewart-Dalzell, who has dedicated her time and expertise to repairing the damaged headstones. But here's where it gets controversial: despite her efforts, the vandals persist, leaving a trail of destruction that is both perplexing and infuriating.
McLaren, who tragically lost his life at a young age, and his loved ones, are buried at Waikumete Cemetery in Auckland. The family plot, which includes the graves of McLaren's parents, sister, and brother-in-law, has become a magnet for senseless acts of vandalism. Stewart-Dalzell, who specializes in non-chemical restoration, arrived last Saturday to find yet another instance of deliberate damage.
"It's like Groundhog Day," she said, describing the relentless cycle of repair and destruction. Polyethene bags, carefully placed to protect the stones during restoration, were torn, and bleach, sprayed indiscriminately, had eaten through the paint and pitted the granite. The headstone of Bruce and Patricia was covered in a sticky substance, taking four grueling hours to remove.
The vandalism has been an ongoing issue since September, with each incident more bizarre than the last. Gold paint splattered across headstones, bleach poured on granite, and even an attempt to glue toy cars to the McLaren's headstone using epoxy. It's a perplexing and disturbing display of disrespect.
Stewart-Dalzell's gentle restoration methods are being undermined by these repeated attacks. "We have repeatedly arrived to find the wrapping lifted off and further attempts made on the stones," she explained. "It hampers our efforts and undoes all the progress we've made."
Initially, she believed the damage might be a misguided attempt at cleaning, but as the incidents continued, it became clear that this was a calculated and deliberate act. "It feels very calculated and deliberate," she said. "Whether they think they have the right to continue, I don't know, but it's getting ridiculous."
The financial cost of this ongoing vandalism is also a burden for Stewart-Dalzell. She had planned to re-lay fresh 23-karat gold on some of the McLaren headstones, but the bleach damage has put that work, valued at close to $1000, at risk. "If someone sprays bleach on 23-karat gold, it's ruined," she said.
Police are investigating reports of damage to several headstones on November 5, but so far, no arrests have been made. Stewart-Dalzell has received information from multiple witnesses who reported seeing people "messing around with the headstones."
This story raises important questions: What drives someone to vandalize a grave? Is it a cry for attention, a misguided attempt at art, or something more sinister? And how can we protect these sacred spaces from such senseless acts?
Stewart-Dalzell has a simple plea: "Just stop." A plea that echoes the sentiment of many who are appalled by these acts of vandalism. Will the vandals heed this call? Only time will tell, but for now, the mystery remains, leaving us with more questions than answers.
