Police are investigating motorcycle thefts worth $40,000 from Waikato properties

“It would have taken two or three people to push one of the heavier bikes.”

She said the near-retirement couple were “angry” about losing the bikes they bought with hard-earned money.

One of the bikes was a $27,000 Triumph purchased six weeks ago. A missing Ducati is worth about $13,000-$15,000, she said.

“(We are) frustrated because this problem has never happened to us in Taupiri in 39 years and we recently moved to Huntly and within three weeks the bikes are being stolen.

“Huntly was our favorite place because it is beautiful and quiet. But Huntly did not disappoint in terms of reputation.”

Husband Tony said it took “ages” to save up for the bikes, which the thieves probably “didn’t take into account”.

“They are both key fob activated so good luck starting or selling them. If you go to a dealer for new keys they will see in their system who the bike is registered to.”

He asked the thieves to return the bikes and the public to help locate them.

Both motorcycles have distinctive identification markings: the Ducati has a grim reaper tank protector, a NZ fern sticker on the left side and a Werks racing exhaust. The Triumph has dog bite markings on the license plate.

Police are asking anyone who saw suspicious activity on Kimihia Road last night, has CCTV footage of the road or has any information that could assist police to inform them online or call 105 with the reference number: 241029/7384.

Malisha Kumar is a multimedia journalist based in Hamilton. She joined the Waikato Herald in 2023 after working for Radio 1XX in Whakatāne.