Hastings District Libraries

Havelock North Library staff are in shock over the disappearance of their Turretilla rock.

The elusive rock, a piece of Turretilla Shell Rock estimated to be 15 million years old, was donated to the library by the late Joan Wiffen, fondly known as The Dinosaur Lady.

The 15 million year old piece is from the Miocene epoch and was found in the Mohaka area on one of Joan Wiffen's many expeditions.  It has resided quietly on the issue desk of Havelock North Library for many years, where it has been a talking point enjoyed by the entire community.

"It is really not of any value to anyone else.  Joan Wiffen gifted it to the library so it could be enjoyed by the community and we really would like it back," say the staff.

Joan Wiffen found the first evidence that dinosaurs once lived in New Zealand.  In the late 1970s, Wiffen, an amateur palaeontologist, discovered a dinosaur vertebra in a boulder about 65 million years old.  Further discoveries Joan made are on display at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and others are held in the palaeontology collection of GNS Science in Lower Hutt.

If you think you have seen the rock in question, please let the library staff know or, if you find it, it can be returned anonymously through the 24 hour book return slot at Havelock North Library. It is about 15 to 20cm long, containing distinctive shell fossils.

For more on Joan Wiffen CBE, Hon DSc see:
http://www.natlib.govt.nz/collections/online-exhibitions/self-taught-scientists/joan-wiffen