Thief takes $1m Goldie

HAMILTON: The country's top dealer in Goldie paintings says a work depicting a late rangatira Maori, reported stolen yesterday, would be worth more than $1 million.

Waikato police are seeking information in relation to the burglary that included a painting titled Sleep ’tis a Gentle Thing, of Ngati Maru and Ngati Paoa chief Hori Pokai, by New Zealand artist Charles Frederick Goldie.

Police believe the burglary occurred in the Hamilton East area between December 27 and January 3.

Goldie's most expensive piece, A Noble Relic of a Noble Race, of Ngai Manawa chief Wharekauri Tahuna, sold for $1,337,687 at an International Art Centre auction in Auckland in 2016.

Director Richard Thomson said he had sold another version of the stolen painting in 2008 for a thenrecord $454,000.

``So that is a million dollarplus artwork there, in today's market.’’

Anyone with information, can contact police on 105 and quote file 210103/2961. — The New Zealand Herald