Giant kiwi balloon held for ransom
An undisclosed sum has been paid to secure the release of a giant Kiwi-shaped hot-air balloon stolen while in transit to Taiwan from the United Kingdom.
Wairarapa ballooning stalwart Rick Walczak made an appeal on social media for information leading to Iwi the Kiwi’s return on Tuesday.
Yesterday morning, Walczak was awaiting confirmation a balloon fitting Iwi’s description had been recovered in the United States.
‘‘We think he’s been located. ‘‘We are waiting for photos and proof that it is Iwi the Kiwi ... we are very excited,’’ Walczac said from Santiago, Chile.
He would not reveal how much money was paid to secure Iwi’s release with the balloon having been held captive for four months. ‘‘Payment has been made. For me, it was a lot of money. It was actually paid for by a fellow balloonist which we will be reimbursing,’’ Walczak said.
The seven-storey balloon – which has its own Facebook page – was one of the highlights of this year’s Wairarapa Balloon Festival.
Officials from the United Kingdom, the US and India have been involved in finding Iwi, and while police have not been involved so far, Walczak said that could change.
He was unable to explain why anyone would steal such a distinctive balloon believed to have cost about $100,000 to make.
‘‘You can’t fly it at all, but he’s got brand new burners and I spent a lot of money on him recently. Iwi is something that is so well-recognised,’’ Walczak said.
Former Masterton mayor and patron of the Wairarapa Balloon Festival Bob Francis was mystified by the theft of such a distinctive item.
‘‘It’s a very famous balloon. ‘‘It has flown throughout Asia, America and a few months ago it was in the UK.’’
He wondered if the thief knew what they were stealing.
‘‘It’s totally bizarre because how you ever fly it without being noticed is beyond belief really.’’
Iwi was built in England by Cameron Balloons and was launched in Albuquerque in October 2012.
Media in the US state have already reported on the theft.
Walczak, a ballooning pilot with more than 40 years’ experience, said Iwi had been booked to appear at several ballooning events over the period of his disappearance.
With his likely recovery, Walczak hoped Iwi – which has been flown for only 76 hours during its lifetime – would be able to rejoin the international circuit.
He also hoped Iwi would be able to return to New Zealand for ballooning festivals in Wairarapa and Waikato next year.