Couple want return of Kiwi wedding day photographs

The Wigzells' marriage at Wanaka, snapped by Danielle's father Tony Ford. Photo / Supplied

A British couple on their honeymoon lost everything after their campervan was broken into in Auckland, but all they want back is their wedding photos.

Danielle and Paul Wigzell were married on Coromandel Peak in Wanaka on Valentine's Day.

Mrs Wigzell said they were in Christchurch a day ahead of their itinerary - one day before the earthquake - and saw the Cathedral before it was damaged.

The couple then went north, through Wellington, New Plymouth and Rotorua.

But the trip turned sour when the Wigzells parked their campervan in Mission Bay, outside Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World.

While the couple walked into the city to visit the Sky Tower, thieves broke into their campervan and took all their possessions, which were packed inside two suitcases.

The stolen items included cameras, clothes, souvenirs, and toys belonging to their 19-month-old son Harrison. But the couple are asking only that the thieves return the camera memory cards.

"We can replace the cameras but the wedding photos - you can't," Mrs Wigzell said. She issued a plea to the thieves to return the memory cards to the Herald.

The break-in has ruined the couple's trip because with their possessions and souvenirs was Mr Wigzell's driver's licence. They flew to the US on Monday night and are now staying in Los Angeles.

They had planned to drive to Las Vegas but without a licence that is now in doubt.

She said she does not hold out much hope of police catching the thieves because they did not come and fingerprint the campervan.

Mrs Wigzell's father, Tony Ford, said the break-in was witnessed by a passer-by. But the number plate was from a stolen car.

Mr Ford is the mayor of St Anne's in Lancashire.

He said he would write to Auckland mayor Len Brown to let him know of his disappointment.

He has asked guests to his 60th birthday party this weekend to donate money to the Christchurch earthquake victims rather than buy him presents.

Anyone can return the memory cards to the Herald.