Hoon drivers are being blamed for destroying headstones at a south Auckland cemetery, including that of rugby legend Peter "Fats" Fatialofa.
Auckland Council said they were investigating multiple reports of gravestones being damaged by vehicles, as well as damage to bollards and skid marks caused by drivers doing burnouts.
Fatialofa's wife Anne said her husband's headstone has been damaged at least three times.
In May last year the gravestone was knocked several metres by a car, which cost $500 to crane back into place.
She said it was "ridiculous" and "disrespectful" that people continued to drive through Manukau Memorial Gardens.
"I honestly can't understand it," she said.
Fatialofa and her children have visited the cemetery every Sunday since her husband's death in November 2013, aged 54.
When she found it damaged by a car she was "devastated".
"It was hard for the whole family to see it like that. It was very distressing for everyone."
Fatialofa said she suspected it was an unintentional accident but called on people to show more caution.
"It's just careless. I mean it's ridiculous that you would be driving that close to the headstones in the first place."
Auckland councillor Alf Filipaina said he was alarmed by the rising number of people driving dangerously in the cemetery.
He said it was the worst possible spot for hoon drivers and called on people to show common sense and stop damaging the sacred site.
"I am concerned at some of the anti-social behaviour that has recently been taking place," he said.
"It's a place for quiet contemplation and remembrance, not hooning about."
Filipaina said he was reluctant to see the council spend more money on security or CCTV cameras.
Instead he wanted a community-led response.
"We want residents to be our eyes and ears in reporting this... And for people to leave their car on the side of the road and walk up."
The incidents have been referred to the police, Filipaina said.