Parts of the French Memorial and metal park signage at Wellington’s Pukeahu National War Memorial Park have been stolen over the Christmas and New Year holiday period in an incident that has left officials "bitterly disappointed".
Manatū Taonga – the Ministry for Culture and Heritage – said thieves targeted metal signage, including individual letters and full text phrases, from both the French Memorial and signage across the main park.
The forced removal had caused "considerable damage" at New Zealand's national place of remembrance, said deputy secretary for delivery and investment Glenis Philip-Barbara.
"Places like Pukeahu are sacred, they exist to honour the memory of those who served, and those who lost their lives protecting nations and people so that we might have an opportunity to live in peace," she said.
"To steal from and vandalise such a place is unacceptable, we are bitterly disappointed that someone has gone to some effort to steal from the fallen."
The French Memorial was a gift from France to New Zealand and was testimony to the friendship forged between the two countries since the First World War.
The French Embassy in New Zealand shared its deepest regret and condemned the act of vandalism, saying it "undermines the memory of the New Zealand soldiers who fell in France for our freedom".
"We thank New Zealand’s authorities for their investigations and the preparatory work that will lead to repair this important monument for our common heritage."
Wellington Mayor Andrew Little said it was disappointing that a place of remembrance had been dishonoured.
"The relations forged between New Zealand and other countries in times of conflict are highly valued, especially by the families of people who were directly touched by those historical events," he said.
"I want the rest of New Zealand and the representatives of France to know that the actions of these vandals do not represent Wellington. The people who did this should be made accountable for their heartless actions."
Philip‑Barbara said the Ministry had informed the French Embassy and other stakeholders and would begin considering repair work, but stressed the importance of recovering the stolen materials.
"We encourage anyone who can help locate the lettering to contact police," she said.
The Ministry has appealed to the public for information, saying the thefts were believed to have occurred between December 24 and January 5.
Anyone with information about the stolen lettering or damage is urged to contact Wellington Police, quoting reference number OR‑2380388N.
Police confirmed to 1News it had received a report of the stolen letters from signage at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park on January 6.
"The information provided is being assessed," a spokesperson said.
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