British High Commissioner's jewels stolen

Tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewellery have been stolen from the British High Commissioner's home.

Item's taken from new High Commissioner George Fergusson's Karori home in Wellington last week include a diamond and gold tiara and a necklace of aquamarine diamond and pink topaz on gold enamel.

The tiara was worn by Mr Fergusson's grandmother, Alice, Lady Fergusson, in the 1920s.

Wellington police are describing the theft as "opportunistic", the Dominion Post reported today.

Mr Fergusson said his family was saddened by the theft.

"Several have been in my family for a long time. One was worn by my grandmother in New Zealand back in the 1920s and later by my mother," he said.

Mr Fergusson is the son of the late Sir Bernard Fergusson, Governor-General from 1962 to 1967, and Laura, Lady Fergusson. His grandfather, Sir Charles Fergusson, was Governor-General from 1924 to 1929.

- NZPA