An Auckland preschool has described the heartbreak of discovering their playground equipment had been stolen at the weekend.
About $5000 worth of slides, ladders and climbing equipment was stolen from Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Ngākau Mahana in Henderson sometime between last Friday evening and Sunday morning.
Staff arrived on Monday to discover the play sets were missing.
"After Friday afternoon, everything was here and our tamariki were playing on it before they went home," said Kaiako Wiremu Paniora.
"It was kind of a shock to come back on Monday to find it had been taken, because it hasn't happened here before."
The kohanga was closed over the weekend, he said.
"It's unfortunate that it happened on the last week of kohanga," said Paniora
"It was supposed to be a fun week for the tamariki, and they've been left without their playground, so it's pretty heartbreaking.
Part of the stolen equipment Photo: NZ POLICE
"It's their equipment, it's their playground, and it's their free time,
"We're pretty heartbroken that it's been taken."
Wiremu Paniora said they had received donations from those wanting to help.
"We're fortunate in the last week that we've had quiet a few koha given to us, in terms of money and offers from other ECE's, for kohanga, for playground equipment," he said.
"We're not really asking that we get new equipment from other people, but we're very fortunate that they've offered and koha has come in, so we're very thankful for that.
The burglary has been described as a "thoughtless act", by detective sergeant Anna Freestone from the Waitematā West Tactical Crime Unit, who said about 30 children had been left without outdoor play equipment.
"The offender, or offenders, came into the centre on Smythe Road and removed several items," Freestone said.
The estimated value of the items is about $5000, including bridges, blocks and a circular swing.
"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."
Anyone who was offered playground equipment to buy, or given as a gift, should be cautious, Freestone said.
"We want to hear from anyone that might find themselves in a situation like this, and they suspect it's the stolen equipment.
"It's pretty appalling that people would think to target such an important place such as a childcare centre."
Freestone said she wanted whoever took the playground to "think about the children" and bring it back.
Information could be provided by updating police online or by calling 105, reference the file number 241209/0008.
Alternatively, information could be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Second preschool to be struck by thieves
Another Auckland preschool had also been struck by thieves earlier in the week.
An Ōtara Preschool had its windows smashed and property stolen during a break in at the weekend
Police said thieves broke in sometime at the weekend, smashing nine internal windows.
They also damaged a microwave and oven, and knocked computers to the ground.
Wiremu Paniora said they had to move forward.
"We feel for [the children] because it's their equipment, and their playground," he said.
"Their fun-time's been taken away from them, but we carry on, and that's what it is."
Police were asking anyone who may have seen something to get in contact.
They said those who might be given playground equipment as a gift, or see it for sale should be cautious if they suspect it's stolen.
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