A Polaris ATV similar to one missing from Whakatu since July 27. Photo / Supplied
A Polaris ATV similar to one missing from Whakatu since July 27. Photo / Supplied
A four-wheeled ATV and the distinctive "Uncle Buck's Trailer" - used in numerous community and family projects - were last night still missing almost a fortnight after being stolen from the owners' Whakatu home.
Tom and Margie McGuire have used them for eight years to help plantabout 50,000 trees on a 2.5km of the riparian strip of the Clive River, near Kohupatiki Marae.
The trailer, belonging to Margie McGuire's brother, has a particular history. It was at least 50 years old and well in demand throughout the Clive and Whakatu area - the "community trailer", Margie McGuire called it as she pleaded for its return. The trailer goes "way back". From the days when it was used to cart bins of apples for hosts when Tom McGuire and his brother helped take Under 17 Hawke's Bay Maori rugby sides to such places as Ruatoria, to furniture-moving and carting of piping-hot hangi.
The red and black Polaris ATV and the trailer were unhooked from Tom McGuire's truck between 3.30am and 5.30am on Friday, July 27. That's the period when everyone finished catching up on old yarns with a visitor from "up north" to when Tom McGuire went into the kitchen and saw out the window the ATV and trailer were not where they had been parked the night before.
The visitor's car had also been entered, and in rolling back towards a kerb had made way for the trailer to be removed.
Margie McGuire said some people believed it was the district council's job to carry out riparian planting, but up to 500 people had taken part over the years, including school children from as far away as Havelock North.
The "bike and trailer" had become a bit of an icon because they ultimately worked with help from the council, with one determination.
"It's our river," she said. "We've got to look after it."
Anyone who saw the ATV and trailer, knows where they are, or has seen them for sale is asked to call police. Senior Constable Pehi Potaka, of Hastings, said the trailer was particularly distinctive.
