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New Zealand police recover stolen war medals

New Zealand police have recovered rare war medals stolen from a national museum in December, officials said on Saturday.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 08:47 February 16, 2008
  • Gulf News

Wellington: New Zealand police have recovered rare war medals stolen from a national museum in December, officials said on Saturday.

The stolen medals included nine Victoria crosses, two of which belonged to New Zealand's most celebrated war hero Charles Upham.

Police said an unidentified third party helped arrange the return of all 96 medals after an award of $238,095 was announced for information on the missing medals.

"These medals are New Zealand's national treasures, with a value beyond any monetary worth. New Zealanders will be both delighted and relieved that the VCs and other medals have been recovered," Defence Minister Phil Goff said in a statement.

The medals were taken from the war museum on the outskirts of the small town of Waiouru, in the centre of New Zealand's North Island.

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