Thieves have blighted one of the most innocent of Labour Weekend events in Tauranga.
The Art Treasure Hunt involved the hiding of about 150 birthday-wrapped art pieces, donated by local artists, for people to find as part of Tauranga Arts Festival's 10th birthday on Saturday. People were then given clues throughout the day to help them track down the presents in the CBD.
However, up to 60 of the presents were taken before the official hunt begun. Some presents were found ripped up on the footpath. Police are investigating.
Read more: Tauranga Arts Festival: Tuesday events
Organiser Simone Anderson said she caught one of two groups believed to be responsible loading several art pieces into a van.