Christchurch's Catholic Cathedral's called in the police after discovering some rare and valuable bronze doors are missing.
The Ria Bancroft doors, worth more than $185,000, have disappeared from storage.
Cathedral management board chairman Lance Ryan says police have been notified because of the history and value of the doors, but is hoping there is nothing sinister in their disappearance.
He says they could be in the safekeeping of a well-meaning parishioner.
Scrap metal dealers are being asked to keep an eye out for the doors.