PAIHIA GNOME NAMED KEITH AT CENTRE OF HENDERSON-ON-HENDERSON DISPUTE, NEITHER HENDERSON RELATED
Both families produce receipts. Neither receipt is for Keith.
A garden gnome named Keith is at the centre of an ownership row between two unrelated Henderson families on the same Paihia street.
The Hendersons at number 14 say Keith has been theirs since 2019, bought at a Kerikeri garden centre. The Hendersons at number 22 say Keith has been theirs since 2017, gifted by an aunt now deceased and therefore unavailable for comment.
"He was on our lawn Thursday. He was on their lawn Friday," said Colleen Henderson, 61, of number 14. "I'm not saying Rodney took him. I'm saying he didn't walk." Rodney Henderson, of number 22, said Colleen was away with the pixies, and that Keith had a chip on his boot only the real owner would know about. Asked to describe the chip, Rodney said he'd rather not tip his hand.
A neighbour, Marlene, who has lived on the street since 1974, said the gnome business had been brewing for months and there was also a disputed hydrangea. "Used to sort this at the pier over a jug," she said. "Now it's registered letters. For a gnome."
A Whangarei District Council spokesperson said gnome ownership was a civil matter and that council held no register of ceramic figurines, adding they wished they didn't have to say that out loud. Paihia police confirmed no complaint had been lodged but that both parties had popped in for a chat, separately, at length.
Keith is currently in a cardboard box on Marlene's porch. Marlene says he's a good wee fella and none of this is his fault.
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Reader Letters
Trev_Hornby
This is a bloody piss-take.
CathyKelston
It's just a gnome, sort it over a BBQ!
johnny_b_good
@CathyKelston They should've tried that ages ago. BBQ therapy!
Barry_Whangarei
Council should've tracked gnomes ages ago. Lazy sods!
HollieN
@Barry_Whangarei But mate, do they even have time for it? They're probably up to their neck in potholes and parking meters.
tired_in_riccarton
Whangarei Council never registers anything useful. They'll just lose your details!
KaiKoheKid
Keith is probably rooted to Marlene's porch now!
Garry (Halswell)
Back in my day, a gnome on your lawn wasn't worth a scrap. This lot should get a life. Once, we had a spat over a deck chair but settled it with a homemade pav and a cup of tea in the conservatory. Make them bake a pav and shake hands!
MumOf2_Paihia
That's quite the mystery! But maybe just get a new gnome?
DodgyDave
Honestly, sort it out yourselves or paint his hat a new colour so it belongs to both!