Help us beat the copper thieves.

St John's church and admin centre has had a copper roof for 60 years. Now it is being stolen patch by patch. Thieves are climbing onto the roof and cutting away the copper leaving the building exposed and open to the weather. The answer is to remove the copper and re-roof -but we don't have the funds. The roof has lasted 60 years, and would last at least another 60 if not for the thieves thus we were not prepared for this huge cost.

We have been attacked. We are helpless to prevent further theft. Even with cameras and police action we remain at risk. Sleeping in the church is the only way to keep the building safe until we can remove and replace the copper entirely.

Quotes for replacement are $125,000 + GST. The risk of extra damage to repair increases the longer there is no adequate roof.

St John's is an integral part of the Te Awamutu community. We provide a free weekly meal, support the local food bank, and run many activities to gather and support community. Our site and buildings carry enormous historic and cultural significance for Te Awamutu and all of Aotearoa; a responsibility we take seriously as we continue to learn how we can work towards social justice for the miscarriages of justice in this place during the New Zealand wars.

Most of our building funds have gone into the care of the two historic buildings in our parish-Old St John's and St Paul's Raingiaowhia-which we keep available for all.

PLEASE help us beat the thieves and take the copper off before they do.