A stolen briefcase containing the private information of 500 research staff from tertiary institutions , including more than 140 staff from the University of Otago , will likely never be recovered , the Tertiary Education Commission ( TEC ) says . The briefcase , which contained evidence portfolios submitted by academic staff as part of the Performance - based Research Fund ( PBRF ) health round , was stolen from a coffee shop on the AUT University campus in Auckland last month . The briefcase also contained information about 24 Otago Polytechnic staff . The briefcase was owned by a panellist on the TEC - convened panel to assess research portfolios submitted in health - related subject areas . TEC deputy chief executive Dr Colin Webb said the briefcase would most likely never be recovered . '' There are no new developments in the investigation into the stolen bag . The police and AUT security have investigated the theft , including reviewing CCTV footage from the area where the bag was stolen . '' At this time , neither the bag nor its contents have been recovered , and there are no leads on potential suspects . However , there is no evidence that the information stolen has become publicly available , '' Dr Webb said . Since the theft the TEC had kept affected researchers informed and also changed security protocols to reduce the chances of loss or theft of sensitive information happening again . A review into the incident would also be carried out.vaughan . elder@odt.co.nz ;