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A haul of medals stolen from Waiouru Army Museum late last year have been transferred to secure storage but it will be a while before they return to Waiouru, police say.
The medals, including nine Victoria Crosses, were stolen in a night raid on the museum on December 2, then returned in February following a huge national backlash over the crime.
A local man and a British medal collector also put up $300,000 worth of reward money for information leading to their return.
No arrests have been made, but investigation head Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann said today seven people were still actively involved in the inquiry and he was comfortable with the progress being made.
He said security measures were being beefed up at the museum and the medals would be returned from Environmental Science and Research when they were complete.
"We've worked together (with the army) to ensure they are appropriately secured. No one is going to get near them that's for sure."
Mr Bensemann said other formalities such as a returning ceremony for the medals needed to be organised before the medals could return to Waiouru, something likely to take two months or more.
In May, two men suspected of being involved in the theft appeared in Auckland District Court on unrelated charges. The men were not named. A woman also appeared on unrelated charges at the time. Depositions hearings for all three have been adjourned until October.
- NZPA
