The Government's new ferry deal announcement is expected today and Winston Peters announces greyhound racing industry will wind down over the next 20 months. Video / NZ Herald
Two Auckland preschools were targeted by thieves, leaving children without outdoor and educational equipment.
Police are appealing for information and urging vigilance on reselling sites for the stolen items.
The estimated cost of the stolen equipment is $5000, impacting the children’s play and learning.
A second Auckland preschool has been targeted by robbers with the theft of a swing, slides, bridges, and blocks, leaving 30 children without any outdoor equipment to play on.
Waitematā west police detective sergeant Anna Freestone said the heist at Henderson’s Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Ngākau Mahana, that took place sometime over the weekend, was a “thoughtless act” and the robbers should be thinking about the children they have stolen from.
Freestone is appealing for information to catch the thieves and is asking the public to keep an eye out on reselling sites for the items.
On the same weekend a community early childhood centre in south Auckland was ransacked by vandals, with rooms trashed and educational equipment taken.
Worker Maria Halligan said a play set, a swing set and large Lego blocks were all taken from Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Ngākau Mahana in Henderson over the weekend.
The estimated cost of the items is $5000.
Thieves on Monday night tried to steal their Christmas tree, she said on social media.
Thieves stole play equipment from Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Ngākau Mahana in Henderson, Auckland, the second school robbed in a week. Photo / Maria Halligan
“We are a very humble kōhanga in Henderson and any resources we get take a lot of effort to fundraise for, and these items were all cherished by all our tamariki.”
Halligan said it was “really sad” sending children to preschool with no equipment to play on.
“If you see any of these out in the community, on Marketplace or Trade Me, please let us know.”
Freestone said police believed the robbery happened between 4.30pm last Friday and 7am on Saturday on Smythe Rd.
“These aren’t exactly small items and would have required a vehicle to transport them.
“I’m asking anyone who saw something that stood out as odd or didn’t look right, to contact us.”
People were advised to look out for people selling the equipment online. Photo / Maria Halligan
She said police also want to hear from anyone who receives similar equipment for Christmas or sees it on reselling sites like Facebook Marketplace.
“It’s pretty appalling that people would think to target such an important place such as a childcare centre.
“Our message to the offenders is this – think about the children and return this equipment.”
The kōhanga was robbed on the same weekend as an Ōtara preschool, where thieves smashed windows, ruined floors with paint and stole valuable educational equipment.
Police said robbers broke into Ōtara Community Preschool and shattered windows, damaged the building and stole numerous items. Photo / Police
Police said vandals left a trail of destruction at the Ōtara Community Preschool with property wrecked seemingly for the sake of it.
Counties Manukau east area prevention manager Inspector Rakana Cook said nine internal windows were smashed, with a microwave, oven and computers knocked to the ground.
Images from inside the centre show every room trashed, with paint-coated footprints tracked all over the children’s bathroom floors and punch holes left in a wall.
“This type of behaviour is quite frankly disgusting,” Cook said.
“This is an awful situation, a preschool has been left footing the bill for this crime and children are now without their belongings and educational resources.”
The Ministry of Education declined to comment.
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