Plant pilferers in Wairarapa have struck again, this time in Featherston’s Cherry Tree Park and Fell Engine Garden.
Julia Reed, a member of the local beautification group, alerted Featherston community members last week that they were finding a number of plants were being stolen from parks and gardens in the area.
Imploring the local community to keep an eye out for anyone not from the council or in a high visibility jacket, Reed said she first noticed the missing plants a few weeks ago.
“But it’s been happening earlier than that; whoever it is, is acting when people don’t see them,” Reed said.
“The missing plants must be sitting in someone’s garden quite nicely.”
Reed said she had also noticed plants missing from outside Featherston Library, and cases of entire plants disappearing from the local community garden, instead of people just taking what they needed.
Noting it was sad that someone had resorted to stealing, Reed said the irony was that the Featherston Beautification Group was an inclusive space and always willing to help people access plants.
“Dare I say so many people are willing to share plants if people need,” Reed said.
We’re all volunteers, and there’s always something you can help out with in exchange for some plants.
“It’s sad because if they’re a community person, they’re stealing from themselves.”
The Times-Age reported on a similar scenario in Masterton last month where police caught a woman stealing flowers from Queen Elizabeth Park, costing Masterton District Council $4392 in damages and replacements.
A spokesperson for South Wairarapa District Council confirmed it had reports of people stealing plants from public areas.
Elaborating, they said about 30 plants had been reported missing from outside Featherston Library.
Police had been informed, but the council did not have any information on the offender.
The spokesperson was aware of similar situations happening in the past.
“Unfortunately, this does occasionally happen but we’re not aware of this happening in recent times.”
