Fires at the centre of an arson investigation in Wanaka are estimated to have caused about $500,000 worth of damage.
However, Telecom spokesman Robin Kelly said the "ball-park figure" for repairs could not compare to the "real" costs incurred by the town's residents and businesses, when landlines in the CBD were attacked by vandals last week.
About 800 landlines were knocked out by four fires lit in telecommunication boxes on Thursday and Friday nights.
Contractors from Alexandra, Queenstown, and Cromwell had rushed to the area to help Wanaka crew replace the landline boxes, repair fibre-optic cables, and restore telecommunications on the two nights, Mr Kelly said.
Senior Sergeant Alan Grindell said his staff were following lines of inquiry into the arson.
"It's clear all four fires were related and deliberately lit,"The incidents appeared to have been committed by offenders who had knowledge about how the telecommunication boxes were opened, he said.
Wanaka police were also following up on 11 other acts of wilful and intentional damage of property, after the weekend.
He called for Wanaka residents to be vigilant and report any behaviour associated with the vandalism or damage of property.
He also issued a warning to vandals that their behaviour would not be tolerated.
"We'll throw the book at them."
There had "definitely" been an increase in vandalism, which was a concern for the community, Snr Sgt Grindell said.
He blamed the spike in property damage on the traditional seasonal influx of people to the resort.
Smashed windows, letterboxes, and shop fronts were among the problems, experienced by police and residents during the weekend, he said.
