Binoculars stolen from wharf

Ngai Tahu Property will be looking at increasing security arrangements after a lone set of pay-to-view binoculars for tourists was wrenched off its base on O'Regans Wharf, at the foreshore near central Queenstown.

Police yesterday said the binoculars were understood to have been taken between 3pm on Friday and 10.30am yesterday.

It was believed they might have been wrenched off and thrown into Lake Wakatipu.

Ngai Tahu property manager Shannon Goldsmith said when contacted the $12,000 binoculars were insured and would be replaced.

O'Regans Wharf is a standalone development which is part of wider, recent, foreshore redevelopment by Ngai Tahu.

Mr Goldsmith described the wharf as having low lighting levels and being out of range of security cameras in the area.

"It [Queenstown] is known as a party town. Extra lighting and security will be needed before they [the binoculars] are reinstated," he said.