Families outraged over lost legacies 

Returned servicemen are angered and outraged about the theft of the priceless Victoria Cross medals, saying the country's heritage has been robbed.

At the Point Chevalier RSA they are furious about the theft, just as many old soldiers all over New Zealand are.

"(It's) just an appalling thing and I hope that we can find out who did it as soon as possible," says Squadron Leader Andrew Anderson of the NZ Airforce.

The medal heist has hit many retired servicemen and their families hard. They feel the thieves have made a mockery of what they did for New Zealand.

"I'm the daughter of returned serviceman of this club and those men fought for us and I am absolutely shocked that someone would stoop that low," says Kay Ingley at the Point Chevalier RSA.

The daughter of the country's most decorated soldier, Captain Charles Upham is shocked at the theft of her father's double Victoria Cross honour.

"Its disgraceful, its beyond belief. I can't believe it...it's a shame to all New Zealanders, not just to us," says Amanda Upham.

Our newest Victoria Cross recipient, Corporal Willie Apiata's medal is safe, but he says families have been robbed of a personal connection to their loved ones.

Theories of who is responsible are already circulating.

"To us it looks like an organised thieving crime, it had to be good...they must have spent weeks sussing that place out," says Angus McKellar.

Security around all medals currently on display is now under scrutiny.

"Maybe in today's world, we've got to put up replicas of things, we can't have the real ones out there for people to look at and that's a really sad thing," says Andrew Anderson.