Source: New Zealand Police
There’s gnome place like home for the more than 200 stolen garden gnomes (and ornaments) discovered by Wairarapa Police.
Police are appealing to the public to help find the rightful homes of the gnominal number of gnomes, which were stolen from the Wairarapa region in the past six to 12 months.
The rampage* of gnomes were discovered during a search warrant at a Masterton residential property on October 17.
The haul also included bird baths, outdoor furniture, a gazebo, trollies, windmills, solar lights, children’s wheelbarrows, metal birds, pot plants, statues, sculptures, a concrete giraffe and even a few buddha.
The cacophony of colourful collectables is currently residing at the Masterton Police Station, but Sergeant Nick Bunny says it’s time for the items to be gnome-ward bound.
“We’ve asked the gnomes where they reside, but so far, they’ve remained stone faced,” he says.
“We’d really like people to check their gardens and outdoor areas, and if they are missing anything, they should pop into the station with their identification, and we’ll work with them to identify items.
“We’re hoping the public can help us get them gnome sweet gnome.”
The public can also make a report online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update report”, or by calling 105 and use the reference number 261014/0880.
*Rampage is one of several collective nouns for gnomes.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/27/wairarapa-police-seek-homes-for-gnomes/