Stolen pounamu returned to grave

The headstone with missing waka - which has now been returned. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A priceless pounamu waka stolen from a Rotorua headstone has been returned.

Last month, the Rotorua Daily Post reported how the "one-off" and meaningful greenstone waka at the base of Lisa Watson's headstone in Kauae Cemetery had disappeared.

Her husband Ray Watson described it as "irreplaceable" and appealed for it to be returned.

On its Facebook page today the Bay of Plenty Police said "it was clear that the community agreed that it was a despicable crime".

"The good news is that family visited Lisa's grave on Friday and found that the waka has been anonymously returned. We don't yet know who was responsible, but at least the waka is back in its rightful place," police said.