The Herald has been told that the workshop inside the base is run by civilians contracted to the Army. Asked if police believed the medals were still in Waiouru, Ms Gower said: "We're certainly hopeful they are, but anything's possible."
She said police had no information to suggest the collection had been smuggled out of the country.
Thieves broke into the museum about 1am on December 2, smashing three cabinets and taking the medals, which are valued at between $15 million and $20 million.
The stolen medals include the VC and bar won by Captain Charles Upham, one of only three such medal sets in the world.
Police are still interested in sightings of a mid to late 80s, possibly early 90s light-coloured station wagon seen near the museum about the time of the burglary.
Ms Gower said there were two sightings of the vehicle at the museum and another on the road between Waiouru and Ohakune, near the Tangiwai sawmill, at 1.20am on the morning of the raid. The station wagon possibly had round headlights.
"We just want to know who was in that car," Ms Gower said.
She said the car was only one lead police were following and they were continuing to review security film from the museum and information received from other sources.
A small team of officers is working on the case over the holiday period, but more than 10 full-time staff will resume work on the investigation next week.
Ms Gower encouraged anyone with information to call 0800 Valour, the police hotline set up after the theft.
"It's manned 24 hours a day and we'd still urge anyone with information, no matter how insignificant they think it is, to contact us."
* PLEASE HAND THEM IN: MUSEUM CHIEF
The director of the Waiouru Army Museum has issued another heartfelt plea for the return of the stolen medals.
"It's 29 long, long days since these medals were stolen," retired Colonel Raymond Seymour said last night.
"In those 29 days, someone out there must have a conscience.
"I'm just pleading with that person to come forward and disclose that bit of information that obviously the police need to be able to apprehend those who were involved in this crime, and for the safe return of these precious medals."
Colonel Seymour said he had not rested since the theft. "Sleep just ain't coming to me still because I am worried that the nation's treasures are still in someone else's possession - someone whose possession they shouldn't be in," he said.
"I just hope and pray that these people, despite what their motives may have been, realise now the foolishness of this crime."
Colonel Seymour pleaded with the thieves to hand the medals in.
"I'll pay the postage. I just want these medals back because as the custodian of these medals I want them back for the whole nation.
"It'll be a happy 2008 the moment they are returned."
