Wool stolen to pay for funeral

The wool bales stolen were valued at $700-800 each. Photo/file

A woman who stole thousands of dollars worth of wool told police she needed money to help pay for a family funeral.

Flora Elizabeth Taku pleaded guilty in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday to burglary.

She is related to the victim.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Rachel Willemsen said Taku and a co-offender decided to steal wool bales from a Parapara Rd wool shed the first defendant worked at as a shearer.

The first defendant sent messages to Taku, giving her details on how many bales there were, when others were working there, and so on.

Over April 20-21, Taku stole 14 bales from the shed, valued at $700-800 each.

"She would then require other associates to assist [in] the movement of the bales, however would not disclose who they were," Ms Willemsen said.

Judge David Cameron said he regarded the matter as "very serious offending".

"It's very easy to steal from whanau in farm sheds," he said.

He remanded her on bail to July 27 for sentencing.