Ancient whale bones exposed by stormy weather on a Kaikoura beach have been looted.
Kaikoura residents were seen taking the whale bones in some cases in large quantities in cars or trailers.
The Historic Places Trust and police want them back.
The archaeological site was uncovered for thefirst time in years by the extreme weather, the Marlborough Express reported.
The area where they were exposed, Jimmy Armers beach, is registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as the Fyffe Historic Area, which also includes the Fyffe House site and the old wharf.
The area housed the Waiopuka whaling station, which dates back to 1842 and is an archaeological site under the Historic Places Act.
The NZ Historic Places Trust administers the consent process governing the damage or destruction of archaeological sites.
Without consent, it is illegal to remove archaeological artefacts such as the whale bones and offenders may be fined or face criminal prosecution.
Trust southern regional manager Malcolm Duff said it was disappointing a few people had selfishly decided to remove the bones, stealing not only from the archaeological site but also the heritage of the region's residents.
Anyone wanting to return whale bones should take them to the Kaikoura police station.
