Police plea for return of priceless mere

File photo / Herald on Sunday

Police are pleading for the return of a priceless greenstone mere stolen from the tomb of one of the founders of Parihaka Pa in Taranaki last week.

The greenstone club was kept behind thick glass in the base of the tomb at Parihaka, where Te Whiti O Rongomai was laid to rest in 1907.

Thieves smashed the glass last Wednesday or Thursday, days after hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of Parihaka peace festival director Te Miringa Hohaia.

There were six police staff working on the investigation but that number would be increased in the morning because of the serious nature of the crime, Sergeant Jeremy Bull told NZPA.

"Police are making a passionate plea to the community. Someone, somewhere will know where this mere is and who is responsible. We want it returned to the marae or to the police," Mr Bull said.

- NZPA