A young woman convinced her cousin to help her break into a cellphone store because she needed money for her children. 

Anzac Truly Houkamau, 19, devised a plan to break into 2degrees with a younger relative after he told her it was easy to break into. 

The store was broken into on July 29 and July 30. 

On July 30, Houkamau spent the day in Napier's central city watching security staff and noting where the cellphones were kept. 

She organised her younger family members to meet her in town just before midnight with a tomahawk and a chilly bin. 

Houkamau  broke into the store with the tomahawk and took phones displayed on security lines. 

She and three others, including her 18-year-old cousin Mana Ratima were in the shop for just seconds.

They took eight cellphones, chargers and phone protectors. 

Houkamau and Ratima both pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary when they appeared in Napier District Court this morning. 

Two other offenders are being dealt with in the Youth Court. 

Houkamau told police she had fallen on hard times and needed money to help with her children and living arrangements. 

She was sentenced to 120 hours' community work and ordered to pay $250 reparation. 

Ratima was sentenced to 80 hours' community work and ordered to pay $250 reparation. 

- © Fairfax NZ News