Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Police recover mere taken from tomb

Updated at 6:14 pm on 3 September 2010

Police have recovered a greenstone club stolen from the tomb of one of the founders of Parihaka Pa in Taranaki.

The mere, stolen last week, belonged to revered Maori peace prophet Te Whiti-o-Rongomai.

Police say they found the mere hidden in an area of bush in Opunake after receiving information.

They say a middle-aged woman from Waikato is helping them with their inquiries but no arrest has been made as yet

The mere has been returned to Maori elders.

Police have called on marae elders to decide how the thief should be punished.

The Taranaki police's Maori liaison officer, Constable Warren Wi Patene, says the thief could be prosecuted or punished by marae justice.

Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand