The theft of a "precious" 12-year-old palm tree has left Te Puna Quarry Park volunteers distraught.
Volunteers were appealing for witness to the theft of their 12-year-old ponytail palm tree, which was worth an estimated $200 to $300.
The plant was discovered missing on Tuesday morning when volunteers found a big hole where it once stood and would have required "quite a bit of effort" to remove from the park, Te Puna Quarry Park Society secretary Dulcie Artus said.
"They would have needed spades to dig the roots, move heavy rocks out of the way, and carry it to a ute or trailer - there's no way it would fit into a car boot," Ms Artus said.
The volunteers who looked after the cacti and succulent area of the park were disheartened.