Pig carcasses and dog excrement are among apparent Mafia-style tactics being used to intimidate residents of a remote South Otago village, as tensions between neighbours heighten.
Waipori Falls property owner Ian Clay told the Otago Daily Times residents had been "disgusted and horrified" when a partially butchered pig carcass appeared on a spike at the entrance to the former hydro-village overnight on Thursday.
He said the placement of the bloody remains appeared to be deliberate and directed at all residents, who would pass the spot any time they entered or left the village.
He interpreted it as an effort to deter attempts by villagers to gain police oversight for a long-running and escalating series of disputes regarding the town’s self-managed water infrastructure.
"Waipori has been a focus of squabbles for many years. Tales of intimidation, threats, drugs and infrastructure issues have plagued the town. The remoteness lends itself to this situation.
"Serious violence is thankfully rare, but bullying and intimidation are rife. In particular, a group of two or three individuals regularly ignore the body corp rules, causing division and discontent," Mr Clay said.
The village — located at the head of a river gorge about 50 minutes from Mosgiel — is run by its own body corporate, managing infrastructure and collective decision-making.
"Now we’ve seen an escalation of events with this pig’s carcass.
"It’s disturbing and unsettling to everyone, particularly those with children. It puts you in mind of Mafia tactics like The Godfather, where a horse’s head was placed in someone’s bed."
Mr Clay said despite reporting this and other incidents to police, they seemed reluctant to take residents’ complaints seriously.
"Mosgiel police have been advised of this and two other recent events, one involving cutting a phone line, the other tipping dog excrement over my fence. We’ve had no action or contact over any of these."
"Sadly, the lack of police action or attendance in the village has emboldened the few.
"It would seem that police regard Waipori Falls as a nuisance rather than a community in need of support and understanding. Let’s hope things don’t escalate too far before that changes."
Semi-regular police patrols or "shopfronts" (police clinics) in the town would solve matters.
"It would help show Waipori is actually connected to the rest of the world, rather than isolated and a law unto itself.
"The vast majority of people there are just fine, but it only takes a couple of bad apples to sour the barrel."
Police have historically been reticent to comment about Waipori Falls.
The ODT yesterday put Mr Clay’s concerns to police, who said they could not respond without a privacy waiver.
Taieri MP Ingrid Leary said she was aware of "tensions" in the village.
"Waipori Falls has historically experienced tensions, partly due to the unusual way the community was set up to be regulated and governed as a body corporate — a system which, in my view, is not fit for purpose, given the layout of the houses.
"I’m in regular contact with all parts of the community, and with police, who continue to assure me they keep appropriate contact with the community.
"I do hope tensions can ease so everyone ... can enjoy the beautiful surrounds and lifestyle."
