Dinghy stolen from volunteers

The stolen Nuclear Chicken Parkercraft that was used to transport a bench across the reserve. Supplied photo.

Environmental volunteers are ‘peeved off' that their trusty Nuclear Chicken has been stolen.

The Western Bay residents woke up to find that their old parkercraft, which had been bolted securely to a tree, had been stolen in the early hours of the morning.

Heather says the person who stole it must have been sneaky, as they didn't hear any noises in the middle of the night and the boat was hidden away from view under the trees.

'My husband said the marks looked quite fresh where someone mucked around. So they've either come in with some oars or come in with another boat and have towed it away.”

She says she, her neighbour, and her husband have contributed over 400 hours of free labour and have built many items such as park benches for the community.

'It's really disappointing, when you work hard for the community and someone else steals your tools. You can't do your work.”

The parkercraft cost them $400 of their own money and they had just recently added $80 drop-down plastic wheels, after Heather's husband had hurt his shoulder and couldn't pull the boat up himself.

Heather says she doesn't think they can claim insurance as it was on the boundary of the reserve and the excess will be $300.

They bought another smaller parkercraft, which they can use for now, but they still need the big one for carrying larger materials like timber.

This morning they were supposed to start a job that was funded by the council where they will be building seven-and-a-half metres of boardwalk.

She says the project will be a hassle without their Nuclear Chicken, as they can't transport the material by vehicle.

The Parkercraft has a faded sticker on both sides of the boat saying nuclear chicken.

If anyone knows anything about the disappearance of the parkercraft off Moana Drive contact police anonymously on 0800 555 111 or Heather herself on 549 1389.

'We need it back please, an anonymous tip-off is fine. Just tell us where it is and we'll get someone to collect it.”

To find out more about some of the work they have done previously see: http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/144457-new-picnic-table-tanners-point.html

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.