‘Precious’ kauri gum reportedly stolen from Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Northland

A “precious” piece of kauri gum worth thousands of dollars and allegedly stolen from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds has been returned.

The unique taonga was reportedly taken sometime between 11.30am and midday on Sunday while on display in Te Rau Aroha Museum of the Price of Citizenship at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Mid North Police response manager Senior Sergeant Peter Robinson said the taonga was the size of a small netball. It weighed around 2kg.

The kauri gum was part of a receptacle that allowed museum-goers to cleanse themselves with water before exiting the memorial gallery.

Robinson said thanks to a member of the public, the kauri gum was returned undamaged to the museum.

Officers had earlier located a vehicle of interest after reviewing CCTV of the alleged theft and following further inquires.

“Police have not yet been able to speak to this member of the public, and would like to in order to assist with our investigation,“ Robinson said.

As of Friday evening, no arrests had been made but police were continuing their investigation.

Museum staff and trustees of the Waitangi National Trust Board were saddened by what they said had been a brazen daytime theft.

Waitangi National Trust chairman Pita Tipene was appalled.

“[It is] unacceptable to take a symbol that demonstrates the sacrifice our Māori soldiers made, particularly the soldiers from up here, on behalf of this country and especially in a place like Waitangi where it’s representative of the price of citizenship.”

Trustees of the Museum at Te Ahu in Kaitāia gifted the kauri gum to Te Rau Aroha before its opening in 2020. At the time of the gifting, Te Ahu staff indicated the taonga’s significance made it much more than a mere artefact.

“ ... it stands as a poignant representation of A Company, whose soldiers came from Te Tai Tokerau [Northland], affectionately known as the Gum Diggers,” staff stated at the time.

Museum curator Chanel Clarke called the reported theft a “shameless act”.

“I have no doubt that those people who came in here have tupuna that are in this gallery; they probably have ancestors who served, and this is not the type of behaviour that is becoming of their whānau.”

Robinson asked anyone with information to contact police either by phoning 105, quoting file number 231121/3648, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.