15 October 2008 |

Goff congratulates police following medals theft arrests

Defence Minister Phil Goff has congratulated the Police for progressing to the point of laying charges the investigation into the theft of military medals from the Waiouru Army Museum.

Two men are to appear in court in Auckland this afternoon. Medals including nine Victoria Crosses were stolen from the museum last December. The medals were recovered in February.

"Conviction and sentencing are matters for the Court. New Zealanders, however, overwhelmingly will want to see those responsible for the theft held to account for a crime which for reasons of greed would have seen present and future New Zealanders robbed of a part of our heritage which has incalculable worth," Phil Goff said.

"The self-interested actions and greed of those who carried out this act stand in stark contrast to those men who risked or sacrificed their lives for their country in earning these medals.

"The Waiouru Army Museum has undergone a security overhaul and next week we will welcome the medals back to the museum.

"It is critically important that these national treasures remain accessible to the public and that all New Zealanders are able to view them and read the stories of courage and leadership for which they were earned," Phil Goff said.

ENDS

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