Otago University has confirmed the its registry office was burgled. Photo: 123rf
Otago University has confirmed 98 completed exam scripts were stolen from its examinations office during a burglary on Saturday night.
Most of the students affected by the theft had sat exams earlier in the day and their scripts had not been marked.
The office, which is located in the Clocktower Building, is secured with electronic swipe-card access.
There was significant damage to the office's windows and doors, police say.
Otago University deputy vice-chancellor Professor Vernon Squire says his immediate concern is for the affected students. They would be upset and disappointed that the considerable effort they had put into study and exams had essentially been destroyed by a criminal act.
The university hopes the scripts would be returned but plans were being made in the likelihood they would not.
Anyone with information about the theft should contact the police as soon as possible, he says.
The police said they were following several lines of enquiry.
A version of this story first appeared on radionz.co.nz.