Couple hand $70,000 found on side of road to police

4:26 pm on 7 November 2023
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Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

A bag containing more than $70,000 has been handed in to Hawke's Bay police after it was found on the side of a road.

Police thanked the couple who found the large blue canvas bag, abandoned on the side of the road, after picking their son up from daycare.

They examined it, and noted it was electronically locked and belonged to a bank.

Police said it contained a total of $70,592.60 cash.

Inspector Chris Wallace said the couple's actions were a true test of honesty.

"One of our long-serving colleagues noted he'd never heard of such a story in the 40 years he's been based in Hastings."

The bank and its security company were notified, and the cash was collected within minutes and on its way to the intended destination.