Domain sculptures stolen

Auckland City Council has asked the police to investigate the theft of five Greer Twiss sculptures from the Auckland Domain.

The sculptures are all made of bronze and form part of an artwork called Graftings, which is found in the Wintergardens Fernery.

The artwork was commissioned to mark the new millennium and consists of nine native birds and one pear tree.

Four of the sculptures were stolen over the weekend and the fifth was taken the weekend before. The missing sculptures are the morepork, seagull, tui, gannet and pear tree.

It appears that the thief broke into the Wintergardens fernery using bolt cutters the first time and by scaling a fence the second time.

Auckland City Council parks services manager Mark Bowater says the council brought in police as soon as the theft was discovered.

“This is a thoughtless and destructive criminal act. These works of art are there for the public to enjoy and it’s sad and disappointing to find them stolen,” Mr Bowater says

“It’s abhorrent to think that someone would carry out such a pointless act of vandalism that deprives the public of such a beautiful asset.

”I’d urge anyone who may know what has happened to these sculptures or who may have any information about their whereabouts to contact the police.”

Mr Bowater says the council does not know why these particular sculptures have been targeted.

The five remaining sculptures (the fantail, shag, kiwi, kereru and pukeko) have been temporarily removed to ensure their safety.

The council is currently reviewing security and the sculptures will only be returned to this site if and when new security measures have been introduced.

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