EIT targeted, with thousands of dollars of equipment stolen

Hawke’s Bay Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) has been targeted for the second time in just two months with thousands of dollars of equipment stolen from the premises.

The break-in happened twice on Saturday, July 6, and again in the early hours of Monday, July 8 and has affected the Ideaschool.

The school offers programmes ranging from level 3 to degree level in creative subject areas including screen production, art, design, fashion and music.

Acting head of Ideaschool Sue Blackmore described the act as “unacceptable” and said an estimated $30,000 worth of design equipment had been taken from the locked area.

“We are very saddened about the loss.”

Sue Blackmore was disappointed the EIT Ideaschool had been targeted again. Photo / Paul Taylor

Blackmore didn’t want to speculate why it kept happening or how many people were involved.

She said students were given access to certain areas on the weekend, but there was no access to where the break-in occurred.

“It was a very aggressive way of getting in and there was damage to the space to get into it - this was someone very determined.”

On June 7, the Ideaschool was broken into resulting in the loss of an estimated $20,000 worth of equipment.

EIT executive director of operations Glen Harkness said two Canon digital cameras each with two lenses, one Makita cordless plunge saw with two 18v batteries, and two Bernina sewing machines were taken.

“The equipment stolen was used for teaching across the school and by staff for research.”

He said at the time of the first break-in EIT “rarely had premises broken into”.

Blackmore said there had been an increase in security and was disappointed that it had happened again.

“Each time the offender triggered security alarms it was captured on CCTV around the place.”

Both instances are being worked through with insurers and the damage to the premises was fixed.

“We are just keeping on going and picking ourselves up and moving ahead,” Blackmore said.

A police spokesperson said a scene examination was conducted, and inquiries are ongoing.

Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings and Central Hawke’s Bay newsrooms. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and has a love for sharing stories about farming and rural communities.