Stolen truck and digger found

A digger identical to the machine pictured was recovered north of Napier. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

The owners of a missing truck and digger stolen on Monday night are relieved both have been recovered by police.

The stolen truck and digger, which belong to G & C Diggers in Clareville, were recovered by Napier police early yesterday.

G & C Diggers co-owner Christine Adams said it was good to know the company would be able to complete its contracts.

"I feel relieved -- really happy because it was going to be such a slow process to get another one to use," Ms Adams said. "We are just thankful that everyone kept an eye out."

"It's taken the stress out of having to get the insurance and find something to use in between until we could get a new machine, so it's taken that worry away."

The truck had been seen parked outside Mangatera hotel in Dannevirke yesterday.

Senior Sergeant Jymahl Glassey said the vehicle was found on State Highway 2 near Bayview, about 15 kilometres north of Napier, during a routine patrol.

Two men in their 30s, one believed to be a resident of Masterton and another thought to be from the Tararua district, had been in the truck when police discovered it parked on the side of the road.

The pair's names have yet to be released.

The truck will be driven back to Clareville this morning.