Police are examining the car used in Saturday morning's brazen ram raid theft of two Gottfried Lindauer paintings from an art dealers and auction house in Parnell.
Detective Inspector Scott Baird is appealing for the public's help as they trawl through CCTV footage.
The paintings "Chieftainess Ngatai-Raure" and "Chief Ngatai-Raure" by Gottfried Lindauer were taken in the raid overnight. Photo: NZ Police
Thieves backed a stolen vehicle into the International Art Centre at about 4am and took the paintings which are known as 'Chieftainess Ngatai-Raure' and 'Chief Ngatai-Raure'.
They then left the scene in another vehicle.
Police say it's not yet clear whether the thefts were opportunistic, or if the paintings were targeted because of their value.
They will put out a description of the thieves later today.
Glass can be seen littering the street at the International Art Centre, in Parnell, after the ram-raid. Photo: RNZ / Laura Tupou
Art historian and expert, Penelope Jackson, says she hopes the thieves who stole two Lindauer paintings realise they cannot be sold in New Zealand, and find a way to give them back.
She says the paintings were probably damaged during the robbery which will make them harder to sell.
