Theft devastates tourist's career

Macarena Barra Salgado and her parents Liliana Salgado Rioseco Jose Miguel Barra Rojas from Chile. Photo / Ross Brown, Vision Media

A tearful Chilean tourist has had the laptop computer containing her life's work stolen - barely a kilometre away from Auckland International Airport.

Graphic artist Macarena Barra, in New Zealand for a one-year working holiday, picked up her parents from the airport this week.

They checked into the nearby Kiwi Motel and on Thursday left their bags in the room while they headed for a day trip to Waiheke Island.

When they returned at 10pm they found an open window and Macarena's laptop and two hard drives missing.

They contained five years' worth of drawings, animations and photos.

She reported the theft to the motel's reception: "They told me there's been five thefts in six months.

"I won't be able to find a job in Chile now because I've got nothing to show."

Motel owner Ajay Sone said he had employed a company to carry out security checks since the theft and was in the process of getting cameras installed.

"We try to be vigilant but people need to take initiative on their part as well," he said. "We suggest they leave anything valuable at reception."