A ceremonial whalebone patu stolen from the Rotorua District Council has now been recovered.

The carved whalebone short-handled club symbolises the partnership between Te Arawa and Rotorua Lakes Council, and was discovered missing from its display cabinet in the Council Chamber in January.

The council and its partner Te Tatau o Te Arawa are ecstatic the taonga has come home to Rotorua, saying it was only a matter of time.

'I never lost my faith in it returning to us. The patu is a firm reminder of the significance of the Te Arawa and council partnership. I feel, its return re-energises our relationship,” says Te Tatau o Te Arawa chair Te Taru White.

It is a sentiment echoed by Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick.

'The taonga is hugely symbolic to this partnership, and to the memory of a good friend, Te Arawa kaumatua, Mauriora Kingi, who was influential in its creation. I feel the return of the patu is a gentle nudge from Mauriora to get on with fulfilling the aspirations of the community.”

The recovery of the patu paraoa is the result of information the council received.

'The main thing is that the patu is in its rightful place. Council and Te Tatau o Te Arawa made it clear we wanted it home no questions asked,” says Te Taru.

The council and Te Arawa are looking at what should happen now the patu has been repatriated.

'We entrust our faith in the wisdom of Te Arawa,” says Steve. 'It will be their decision. If council is given permission we would gladly accept, but that is a conversation for Te Arawa.”

Te Taru adds it is important for the patu paraoa to remain in the public eye.

'We need to ensure that the patu is on display because it's a reminder of the Te Arawa and council partnership. There is nothing solved by hiding it away for safekeeping. It should remain here at council.”

A cultural ceremony to formally welcome the patu paraoa to Rotorua is expected to be organised next week.