Elmer Peiffer had just received the devastating news his father had lost his battle with cancer when he was hit with another blow.
Despite his loss, Peiffer, the co-founder of charity Rotorua Whakaora, had arrived at the charity’s depot in the suburb of Mangakakahi on April 30 to prepare for a trip to Hawke’s Bay in the coming days.
He had planned the trip to deliver much-needed clothing to families impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle and to pick up a consignment of food to be brought back to Rotorua.
However, this had to be postponed after the charity’s van broke down.
The clothing had been placed in a trailer owned by the charity in readiness for the journey, but when Peiffer arrived at the site to make preparations, he discovered the trailer had been stolen overnight.
Thieves used bolt cutters to break a chain security link.
“The gate was shut, but looking down the driveway, the trailer was gone.”
Peiffer said it was “absolutely gut-wrenching” for the organisation because the trailer was sponsored by members of the public.
The charity also used the trailer for a weekly trip to Hawke’s Bay to bring food back to Rotorua to be distributed.
“It’s the only trailer we have.”
Peiffer said hearing the news of his father’s death earlier that morning was “amongst the most terrible news in the world”.
His father, Eldon Peiffer, who was 73 and living in Canada, had been receiving care since January and had been unconscious for 16 days leading up to his death.
“I hadn’t been back [to Canada] in 20 years, but while he was still conscious, we said all the things we needed to say.”
Peiffer went to work that day as a “coping mechanism” to deal with his grief and was further devastated to find the trailer had been stolen.
Without the $10,000 4.5-cubic metre insulated trailer, Whakaora, which helps feed Rotorua’s hungry, would now only be able to carry half the amount of charitable goods usually delivered throughout Rotorua and nearby regions.
The trailer was also uninsured because the charity would not be able to maintain any of the payments due to limited funding, he said.
Only two pallets of food and clothing could be transported in the van now, he said, compared to the usual four and a half pallets with the trailer.
Peiffer said the theft had taken away resources, food and the ability for the charity to deliver goods, which was what had upset the community most.
It had “essentially taken all those resources away from Hastings as well”.
Pieffer said Whakaora’s trailer was unique and he was hopeful the public would recognise it and report its location to the police.
The volunteer-run organisation had been open for nine years and Peiffer said he was there “364 days a year” dedicating his time to Whakaora.
Rotorua resident and Whakaora volunteer Rhonda Mohamed said it was disappointing the community had a few “ratbags” who “spoilt it for everyone else”.
“We can’t continue to feed you if you take from us like that. You know, we give, we give out all the time.”
Police received a report about the theft of the trailer on April 29. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information that could assist in finding the trailer was encouraged to contact the police, referencing file number 230430/2910.