Visitors to Rotorua Hospital's children's ward are stealing toys from the play unit.
Hospital therapists say the thefts are depriving sick children of play with the stimulating and educational toys.
Play therapist Marion Hoddinott and play specialist Belinda Griffiths are so fed up they have offered a toy amnesty so people can return them, no questions asked.
Mrs Hoddinott estimates one-third of the toys - many donated - in the play area have been stolen, equating to thousands of dollars.
"It's like robbing their own children. We simply can't afford to keep replacing equipment," she said.
"We are doing our best to keep these kids entertained and their minds off what's wrong with them but people keep taking things. Anything that's not bolted down is just walking out the door."
A similar amnesty recently at Whangarei Hospital had some success.
- NZPA
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