A battle over on-street parking's erupting in the neighbourhoods surrounding Wellington Airport.
It's believed a vigilante has been puncturing tyres in protest over people leaving their cars on suburban roads and then going off on holiday.
It's an on-going issue that locals say is reaching boiling point
"Occasionally I've been round the block on my pushbike and counted them. 52 one day, 39 another, 25 another day," resident Howard Rait says.
But it's not just those heading off on holiday - Howard Rait lives on Kauri Street, his tyres have been spiked before and now his daughter's car's fallen victim.
"Whatever's being used on the tyre is a very small sharpened nail or something like that so you actually can't see that it's been punctured so people think they've just been let down and will try and pump them up at the gas station.
Mr Rait believes the offender is another resident, frustrated with the street being clogged with cars, from people refusing to pay airport parking fees.
Even people parking here for work are being caught in the crossfire.
"I think it's quite sad, we're only here for six hours a day, maybe eight, and we're not doing any harm," local barista Peter Marshall says.
The Wellington City Council's being blamed for letting the problem fester, but says it's now going to act.
"It would've been pointless starting an engagement with residents over the Christmas holiday period, we'll do so at the end of January when people are back. 'Please be patient' is all I can say to them at the moment," Councillor Chris Calvi- Freeman says.
But patience ran out long ago on Kauri Street, residents putting illegal obstacles on their berms to discourage cars.
In a statement Wellington airport says it sympathises with the residents, and says there's a range of transport options available.
Police say they're investigating the incidents and encourage residents to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity.
An investigation that's too late for the owners of the cars whose tyres are already punctured, still blissfully unaware of the surprise awaiting them on their return.
Newshub.
