An atmospheric specialist says he has "no idea" why someone would want to steal a $4000 sun recording weather device, just 11 days after the previous one was stolen from the same location.
Sergeant Mark Gill, of Queenstown, said police were called at 9am on Sunday by a representative of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa).
Sgt Gill said the weather measuring instrument was reported stolen from its measuring site "close to Brisbane St and Park St".
Niwa national climate manager Andrew Harper said he has "no idea" why someone would to steal the device.
Mr Harper said the 10cm-12cm glass ball is used like a "magnifying glass" to burn a trace into a piece of cardboard and measure each day's total hours of sunshine.
Queenstown weather specialist David Crow visits the device site every day to record the information, which is used for tourism purposes, and longer-term climate records.
Mr Harper said the weather device was in a secure location at ground level and its disappearance would lead to "a gap in the records".
"We are all looking at the options to see whether another device will be placed there ... we are keen to keep the Queenstown readings going," he said.
• Police arrested an Arthurs Point resident at 12.30am on Monday for damaging a taxi.
Sgt Gill, of Queenstown, said the the man was being dropped off at home and, on getting out of the taxi, he kicked a door and pushed a wing-mirror, causing damage.
Sgt Gill said the incident was "certainly alcohol related" and charges would follow.
• Police are seeking information on a report of a bottle being thrown through the window of a stationary digger on the Crown Range, during the weekend.
Sgt Gill said the window was smashed and the digger was vacant at the time of the incident.
• An 18-year-old Dunedin male was arrested for setting off a fire alarm at Base backpackers in Queenstown.
Sgt Gill said the man would most likely be charged with "false alarm of fire".
