100 year old Maori rugby jersey taken from Rotorua

The New Zealand Rugby Union is appealing for the return of a rare and precious 100-year-old New Zealand Maori Rugby jersey stolen from Rotorua during the centenary celebrations in June.
A police investigation is under way following unsuccessful attempts by the rugby union to get the jersey back.
It had belonged to New Zealand Maori hooker David Small - a member of the first New Zealand Maori team - who wore it on tour in Australia with the 1910 team. His family loaned the jersey to the New Zealand Maori team for their three-match centenary tour this year and it was stolen from a function at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua.
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive Steve Tew says the Small family are "obviously very upset" and while the theft is an embarrassment to both Rotorua and the rugby union, getting the jersey back is the main focus.
Tew said the jersey was part of a display at the Energy Events Centre during a function.
"We should've taken better care of it ... but we weren't really thinking someone would take something that really has no value but is priceless at the same time ... it's just disappointing really," Tew told The Daily Post.
"It tainted what was a fantastic series of matches and events."
The rugby union decided to go public about the theft in the hope it would prompt the return of the jersey which the Small family had intended gifting to the union for permanent display.
Tew said he would ask the person who took the jersey to "have a good look at themselves".
"One assumes it's on display in someone's home ... someone will know about it.
"We are now appealing publicly for anyone with any information - no matter how small - to come forward either to us, or to the police. Our goal, quite simply, is to get the jersey back," he said.
Bay of Plenty Police acting district commander John Tims said a CIB investigation team was investigating the theft.
"We are treating this complaint seriously. This is an incredibly precious piece of New Zealand rugby history. It is simply unacceptable that it has been stolen and we will be doing everything we can to get it back," he said.
"The key to solving this case and recovering the jersey will be information from members of the public. Someone knows something about this, and we ask that they come forward."
The jersey is black with a red centre band and a gold fern and is in very fragile condition.
New Zealand Maori coach Jamie Joseph said the jersey had been a powerful reminder for the 2010 team of the mana and history of the New Zealand Maori jersey.
"It is distressing to all of us associated with the team that people feel it was okay to steal what was a special taonga for New Zealand Maori rugby and for the family of David Small.
"The jersey was instrumental in helping the players understand what it meant to be part of the 100-year celebrations. It was extremely special to have the original jersey side by side with the current jersey in the team room," Joseph said.
New Zealand Maori Rugby Board chairman Wayne Peters urged anyone with information to come forward.
"Not only have the culprits stolen from the Small family, but they have also robbed New Zealanders of a significant piece of Maori rugby history," he said. "It is extremely disappointing, particularly when the Small family has been so generous in allowing us to enjoy their precious family heirloom."
If you have information that could lead to the recovery of the jersey, please phone the police, either officially or anonymously via the independently run Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 11.