A small West Coast village has been left stunned after a ‘priceless’ wool trophy was stolen from its local pioneer museum in what police have described as a brazen and mysterious heist.

The missing item was the Prisoner of War (POW) Gallipoli rug, a hand-crafted woollen trophy famed as one of the largest and most intricate wool rugs in the world. The rug was created by New Zealand servicemen held by the Ottoman Empire during World War I, and is considered an irreplaceable piece of national heritage, local officials said. Stuff NZ reported that the rug was on permanent display at the Ross Pioneer and Goldfields Museum before the theft.

Police were alerted to the theft on Monday morning, 5 January 2026, when museum staff arrived and discovered that the wool trophy, which had been secured behind protective glass, was missing and the display case was damaged. The museum’s curator told reporters that doors appeared to have been forced open and that no other significant items were reported stolen at this stage, the New Zealand Herald reported.

The POW Gallipoli rug is widely regarded not only for its size and craftsmanship, but also for its cultural and historical significance. The woollen piece was woven by prisoners of war during their captivity in Turkey as a tribute to fallen comrades, RNZ News noted, and was recognised as a treasured artefact representing New Zealand’s contribution and sacrifice in the First World War.

Local residents spoke of being shocked that such a renowned and vulnerable treasure could be targeted in a quiet rural town. “It’s like someone has stolen a piece of our history,” one resident told reporters outside the museum. Stuff NZ reported that volunteers and community members are helping police by reviewing security footage and searching for clues.

Police confirmed that they are treating the theft as a serious cultural property crime and have launched a formal investigation. Sergeant Emma Clarke of West Coast Police said officers are reviewing CCTV footage, interviewing witnesses and checking transport routes known to link Ross with larger centres in the South Island. Clarke noted that the community’s small size is no barrier to the seriousness of the crime.

“We know how much this rug means to local people and to the nation’s heritage,” Sgt Clarke told the media. He added, “We are following every lead, and we urge anyone with information about suspicious activity in the Ross area late last weekend to come forward.”

Authorities have also issued alerts to museums and collectors across New Zealand and Australia to watch for any attempts to sell or move the rug, given its uniqueness and global recognition. Interpol notices may be issued if evidence shows the item is being moved internationally, police said.

The Ross Pioneer and Goldfields Museum, which draws visitors from around the region, has temporarily closed the display room while police continue their search and bolster security across the site.