A treasured taonga reported stolen from a Waikato museum over the weekend has been returned within days of the loss.
The greenstone mere which represents a piece of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints history was reported stolen from the the Matthew Cowley Church of Pacific History Centre over the weekend of July 4.
Police said a man visiting the museum allegedly stepped across a barrier in the premises and swiped it from a display wall.
Waikato police's tactical crime unit used CCTV to identify a vehicle, leading to a location in Tokoroa.
Police then executed a warrant at a property in Tokoroa where the mere was located.
The item was taken into the safe keeping and then subsequently returned to the church museum yesterday.
Museum leader Nathan Petty received the taonga when it was returned.
"We were quite shocked to find one of our treasures was taken. It's an extremely valuable piece," he said.
"We are very thankful to police for their assistance in returning it and putting it back into its rightful place."
Waikato Police tactical crime unit detective Senior Sergeant Scott McKenzie thanked the investigation team for acting with urgency to recover the item, and the support provided by the church.
"This is a great outcome for the church and the community being able to return the item of such significance to its rightful owner."
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