Whangārei retiree’s treasured Bali pots stolen in garden ornament theft

Whangārei pensioner Marilyn Procter is frustrated that thieves invaded her space and stole eight treasured garden ornaments. Photo / Brodie Stone

A green-thumbed pensioner living in Whangārei is considering concreting down her garden ornaments after some were stolen from her property.

Marilyn Procter, 76, woke to find about eight ornaments, including two large pots and a concrete boot, missing from the front of her property on January 28.

She is now reassessing the layout of her garden and has moved the remaining ornaments out of sight.

What added insult to injury was that she had painstakingly repaired the ornaments, including an elephant with a glued right leg.

“It’s just heartbreaking that people can just come in and take my stuff, not thinking about who it belongs to,” she said.

The section where items were taken included an area of white stones to the left of her driveway.

The stones had been carefully placed to create an arid-style landscape, which she had filled with ornaments for further decoration.

“It’s just a labour of love. And in your old age, something to do.”

A retiree, Procter spends her days tending her garden and arranging it, having been at the property for about three years. She has emphysema and enjoys keeping active in the garden.

The two Bali pots were in front of a shed at the bottom of her driveway when they were taken.

They had been treasured items for about 20 years after they were imported from Bali, and Procter had taken them with her whenever she moved.

Marilyn Procter has hidden her remaining garden ornaments until she can figure out a way to ensure they won't get stolen. Photo / Brodie Stone

The theft is the second at her property, after her car was broken into and damaged in 2024.

“All they’re doing is costing me labour and money,” she said.

She was frustrated that people had come to her property with a sense of entitlement, and didn’t like how the incidents had eroded her trust in people.

Whangārei area prevention manager Senior Sergeant Dave Wilkinson said police received a report of the burglary on January 29.

“The pots are described as the same shape as an urn, coloured grey, and due to their size would have required more than one person to move.”

He said there were no lines of inquiry at this stage.

Police encouraged people to have CCTV installed on their properties as a deterrent and an investigation tool.

Anyone with information should contact police on 105, referencing file number 260129/3138.

“If you see suspicious activity occurring in your neighbourhood, please contact police on 111,” Wilkinson said.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.