Priceless Parihaka mere found

TAONGA: Elder Rangi Kotuku Rukuwai holds the precious mere.

PRICELESS RELIC: Close up of the mere.

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A mere stolen from Parihaka Pa last week has been found and returned to the iwi from which it was stolen.

Police said the "precious and priceless relic" which belonged to the Maori peace prophet Te Whiti O Rongomai was discovered in an area of bush in Taranaki last night.

It was reported missing last week after thieves smashed through the glass casing which protected the mere within the tomb where it was displayed.

Sergeant Jeremy Bull said a witness had come forward, visiting Melville police in Waikato and providing the information which lead to the recovery.

Mr Bull said they found the missing mere hidden in an area of bush in Opunake.

"It was an excellent community effort and I have to say a great big thank you to the people of the marae who spoke with us and put faith in us to recover the relic," Mr Bull said.

"We returned it last night to the elders in a small but deeply moving ceremony."

A middle-aged woman from Waikato is helping police with their inquiries but no arrests have yet been made.

"The investigation into the theft is still ongoing. The important thing is that we have managed to recover the mere undamaged and return it to where it belongs," Mr Bull said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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