Vandalised Maori statue has white paint removed in Tauranga

The Maori statue in Tauranga Harbour is no longer white.

The 2.7m statue of Tangaroa is gleaming once again after a cold shower and lots of paint stripper.

Vandals had painted it white over Waitangi weekend.

The statue stands about 50m off shore in Pilot Bay and can be reached by wading from the shore at low tide.