Auckland's deputy mayor Desley Simpson says the council is looking at other material for plaques, instead of copper. Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
Auckland's deputy mayor has described the thefts of some historic plaques across the city as a sad indictment on society.
Police confirm they have had a recent report of a copper plaque being stolen from a public area in Ōrākei.
They were encouraging anyone who had recently purchased copper and was unsure of where it came from to get in contact.
Deputy mayor Desley Simpson posted about missing plaques on social media.
"These removals are obviously planned, calculated, and require tools and brute force by thieves that have, obviously, no regard for public property," she said.
"These are valuable assets to our city, and ones which people value, and love to learn and acknowledge and remember."
Simpson said the process for replacing a plaque was difficult, as they all had to be custom made.
"When we're made aware of a plaque being removed, we contact the police," she said.
"The police then alert scrapyards about the stolen goods, and then that's a way of trying to ascertain them [their whereabouts]."
Simpson said Auckland Council staff were looking at other materials that could be used for the plaques, to prevent further thefts.
"To the absolute thugs that go about disrespecting public property, I say 'just stop'.
"It's costing ratepayers, costing Aucklanders, for your selfish disregard for public property," Simpson said.
The city was no stranger to public bronzeworks being targeted by thieves.
In 2022, a 94-year-old bronze statue was stolen from the historic St James Theatre while it underwent restoration.
That same year, five art pieces were damaged, including Francis Upritchard's Loafers, The Five Rams in Myers Park and the Matakana War Memorial, and the bronze figurine and base from the Valkyrie Fountain in Auckland Domain were also stolen.
Simpson said there were thieves in the community looking to turn the material used in public works into money.
"My message, also, is to the scrapyard owners; please exercise some caution and jurisdiction over what people are presenting to you, because if there isn't a market for this kind of thing, it actually minimises the risk."
Simpson also urged Aucklanders who had bronze or copper numbers on their letter boxes or posts outside their homes to be extra vigilant.
"As soon as you notice anything, contact police because that way, if we have CCTV or whatever, it can be actioned as soon as possible," she said.
Residents were also being encouraged by police to report thefts, along with any further information or CCTV footage.
Anyone who witnesses any suspicious behaviour as it is occurring should report this to police by calling 111, or 105 after the fact.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
