See-saw stolen from sick child

Serena Tohu's kids Beau, 3, and Khalia, 4, are devastated after someone stole their see-saw from their front yard. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Two Kamo children are devastated after their see-saw was stolen from their front yard.

Serena Tohu finds it hard to explain to her kids Khalia, 4, and Beau, 3, where their favourite toy has gone.

Ms Tohu said they noticed it was gone on Tuesday morning and spread the word on social media hoping it would turn up.

Khalia suffers from arthritis and vasculitis, an auto-immune disorder, and the see-saw was important for her daily exercise, Ms Tohu said.

Ms Tohu said her daughter takes a lot of pain relief medication, steroids, and every month is in hospital taking chemotherapy infusion to manage the disorder.

"It was good exercise for her, the kicking movement was good on her knees," she said.

Khalia has previously been in kindergarten but caught too many bugs from the other children because of her compromised immunity.

Playing with her younger brother in the yard is the only chance she gets to run around with kids her age.

"The see-saw was a Christmas present from their dad," Ms Tohu said. "It's pretty low, to be stealing from kids."

She suspects the theft was planned. Their front yard is visible from the road and a low fence with a gate would make it easy for two people to take the see-saw.

"I feel sorry for the kids that got it. You know, they probably really deserve it but they've taken it from other kids," she said.

Ms Tohu said she had not notified police because the theft was a small thing, and was hopeful community support and communication through social media sites would alert her to any sighting of the see-saw.

It has a distinctive green steel frame with red seats.

"I hope people keep a look out for us," she said.

Following a burglary three years ago, the family had security cameras installed.

Anyone with information about the stolen see-saw can email reporters@northernadvocate.co.nz and the information will be passed to Ms Tohu.