Parihaka people to decide on mere thief's fate

Mt Taranaki. File photo / Mark Mitchell

The fate of the Hamilton woman who allegedly stole Te Whiti's mere will be decided by the people of Parihaka in Taranaki.

Hamilton police had spoken to the alleged offender, a middle-aged woman who had a family connection to Parihaka, and a woman witness about the theft, iwi liaison officer Warren Wipatene said.

No decision had been made on whether the woman would face charges, and police would be guided by what the Parihaka community decided, he told the Taranaki Daily News.

Someone smashed a glass panel on Te Whiti's tomb and took the "priceless" pounamu mere last month and it was recovered from bushes on the pa grounds last week after a Hamilton woman told police where it was.

Te Whiti's oldest surviving relative, great-grandson Rangikotuku Rukuwai, said the people of Parihaka would discuss the way to resolve the issue at a remembrance day for the prophet on September 18 and 19.

Mr Rukuwai said increasing the tomb's security would also be discussed.

Last night it was reported another historic artefact, a carved whalebone whip handle, probably the most prized possession of Hokianga rangatira George Clendon, had been stolen from historic Clendon House in Rawene, Northland.

Mr Clendon was regarded by local Maori as a significant rangatira (chief) and the house where he lived from 1862 until his death in 1933 was one of the most significant historic places in Northland, New Zealand Historic Places Trust heritage destinations manager Gordon Hewston said.

It appeared someone took the intricately hand-carved whip handle from a display case on Sunday, when the house was open to the public.

- NZPA