Precious paintings of Maori ancestors have been stolen from a central North Island Maori trust's boardroom.
Te Kuiti Police say they are making inquiries after receiving a complaint from the Maniapoto Trust Board after a number of items were removed from the trust's building yesterday.
The Maniapoto Māori Trust Board posted on social media that paintings of tūpuna were taken from the Te Kuiti boardroom without the knowledge of either the trustees or staff.
Waikato district police staff and iwi liaison officers were helping with the inquiry phase and speaking to all parties.
The removal of the precious artefacts had shaken the trust.