When Nicole Gardner bought her house in Whangarei a year or so ago she didn't expect it would lead her on a journey of discovery and hopefully repatriation.
Ms Gardner bought the house in Fifth Ave and later discovered three suitcases in the attic. A quick search uncovered dozens of carefully stored photographs and other memorabilia dating back to the 1920s, including trophies and unemployment books from the 1930s.
Now she wants to reunite the property with its rightful owners - or their descendants - so that the history can be preserved.
The common theme in the photographs and other items is the surname Johnston and includes wedding photos, pictures from swimming and bowling competitions and a trophy for bowling for a Mr G Johnston.
"Somebody has gone to a lot of effort to preserve the photographs and look after them that it would be a shame to just throw them out. Even if I can't track down the owners or any family members a historical society may be interested in them," Ms Gardner said.