A portaloo was stolen from the inaugural Omataroa 8km Walk and Run event. Photo / Zion Elijah Productions
Who'd steal a full portaloo?
That's the question organisers of an Eastern Bay fun run are asking after a well-used portaloo worth $3000 vanished.
Te Teko Marae held its inaugural Omataroa 8km Walk and Run on Saturday, October 12 to fundraise for its proposed new wharekai. About 600 competitors took part
The stolen portaloo, which had been bolted down, was one of eight located on Galatea Road and one of 32 servicing the big crowd.
"We had the toilets placed along the 8km track, including eight at an aid station on the side of Galatea Rd. It was one of the eight that was taken."
Hepi said the Superloo contractor thought the heist had been pre-planned the thief would have needed a trailer and had to have been strong enough to lift a full loo.
"It was also bolted to the ground to prevent it being stolen or blown over."
She said it was disappointing because the event was otherwise a success.
"There's a conspiracy theory circulating in Te Teko that someone is trying to set themselves up in an off-the-grid situation because, as well as the toilet, solar lights have been removed from the local park and the pedestrian crossing near the school."
Hepi said cameras at the Matahina Dam and the entranceway to Whakatāne did not capture a vehicle towing the disappearing outhouse.