Pania to return home

Pania of the Reef, Napier's iconic bronze statue, will be back on her perch in Marine Parade next week.

The statue, which has become a tourism icon since it was cast in 1954, was stolen more than a fortnight ago after it was wrenched from its base.

She was discovered a week ago in a Napier and three people were facing court charges over her disappearance.

Napier mayor Barbara Arnott said today slight damage to the 100kg bronze statue had been repaired and it would go back onto its base before dawn next Wednesday.

The statue would be allowed to set on its new adhesive throughout the day before the public was invited to a special ceremony to welcome her home at 5.30pm.

"They are going to have to have somebody with her all the time," she said.

"The Cathedral which is right next door wants to ring their bells so they can do that and it will have an air of festivity."

Mrs Arnott said the hollow statue would have a steel rod installed from the top of her head to the base and if any one wanted to steal her again they would need a crane to get it off.

"I don't expect this ever to happen again. I think she will sit there for another 51 years."

She said the theft was an "extreme bit of vandalism" and had generated an amazing public response from around the country.

She said the statue was a national icon and its theft had rallied the town.

"Everybody feels emotional ties to Pania," she said.

- NZPA