A new resident in Whanganui is disheartened that specialised film equipment has been stolen from the house he is renovating.
Carey Hollinger bought a house in Keith St late last year. He's a film maker who's been living in Toronto and Los Angeles for the last decade and wanted to be somewhere smaller, with a sense of community.
His parents, who live in Rangataua, have been helping him renovate an old wooden villa. It has been a busy time, but there was no one there from about 6.30 to 9pm on Tuesday night, when Mr Hollinger took his dog Lucy for a swim and went to visit a friend.
On his return he found a back window had been jemmied open and his suitcase of clothes and all his work gear was gone. The gear included camera equipment, a computer, lenses, wireless microphones, expensive headphones, memory cards and batteries - all packed up in waterproof carry cases.
The stolen property would have been worth about $20,000. It included footage of friends' weddings, and footage he needs for a current job.
He rang police, and had to tell them he was terrified to go back into the house in order to get them to come around.
The officer who came brought a dog, but the burglar's scent was too old for it to follow.
Mr Hollinger has talked to all his neighbours, who were disappointed to hear of the burglary. He has work he cannot complete without his equipment and is offering a reward of $500 to anyone who brings it back.
He's also been left with just one set of clothes.
"The shower doubles as the washing machine at night," he said.
Police say inquiries are being made and the investigation continues.