KEY POINTS:
Police have recovered more items belonging to a Canadian family whose holiday to New Zealand went sour when a thief was given access to their Auckland hotel room.
The Black family, from Montreal, were staying at the Quay West hotel, and were out when a man allegedly asked staff for a key to their room before taking about $15,000 worth of property, including their passports and irreplaceable photos of a deceased family member.
Police recovered a bag containing some small items that belonged to the family within days of the theft and last Wednesday were given a stack of business papers, which were found in Airedale St in the inner city by a member of the public who had seen coverage of the case.
"The bulk of the stuff is still outstanding," said Detective Sergeant Kevin Burke.
"We still haven't got the original passports and bits and pieces like that ... no photos or anything."
Despite their ordeal, the family have written to the Herald thanking the newspaper for publishing photos of the offender taken from the hotel's security camera system.
And they are planning to return at Christmas.
"Thanks again for all of your help during our recent troubles in Auckland. As a result of the diligent efforts of your reporters and photographers, the police were able to catch the culprit who stole our belongings," said an email from Rick Black.
"We were overwhelmed by the strong show of support we received in the aftermath of our mini-crisis, and our love for New Zealand and the Kiwi people remains undiminished. We are already making plans to come back next Christmas, and cannot wait to return. Warm regards, Rick, Evelyn, Emily, Olivia and Andrew Black."
Meanwhile, Peter Malcolm Black, 42, who is not related to the family, will appear in the Auckland District Court on Friday charged with stealing the family's bags and ordering dinner and drinks on their hotel account.
Police are still seeking property including two distinctive Swiss Army Victorinox backpacks. One bag is red and black, the other is green and black.
Anyone who has seen the bags is asked to contact Auckland police on (09) 302-6400.
