Heritage New Zealand is calling on the public to help find the statue of Skippy, a cherished Jack Russell cross, that was stolen from Lyttelton Timeball.

The statue, created by sculptor Sam Mahon in 2019, was installed as a tribute to Skippy’s dedication to the historic site.

Skippy was a well-known figure in the Lyttelton community.

She lived next door to the Timeball and, each day from 2003 until her death in 2009, she would crawl under the fence just before 1 p.m. and bark until the timeball dropped down the mast.

As soon as the ball clunked to a stop, Skippy would head home, her self-appointed task complete for the day.

The Lyttelton Timeball Station, a significant historical landmark, was severely damaged in the February 22, 2011 Canterbury earthquake.

As part of its restoration, Sam Mahon was commissioned to create the statue in honour of Skippy’s dedication to the Timeball Station.

The statue, which quickly became a symbol of the area’s resilience and community spirit, was prominently displayed at the site until its recent theft.

Heritage New Zealand has urged anyone who visited the Lyttelton Timeball recently and may have seen the sculpture, or anyone with information regarding Skippy’s whereabouts, to come forward.

“Help us find Skippy!” urged a Heritage New Zealand spokesperson. “We hope the public can assist in bringing her back where she belongs.”

Any information can be reported to Heritage New Zealand at [email protected] or to Police on 105, quoting File Reference 240809/3119. The organisation is also encouraging people to share this appeal widely to help spread the word.