By 3 News online staff
A historic mahogany statue of Christ stolen from a Karori church around 12 years ago has been recovered by Wellington police.
The 160cm tall statue was discovered on Wednesday at an unoccupied rural property in Ahititi, Taranaki, and is expected to be returned next week to the Futuna Chapel in Friend St, Karori.
Detective senior sergeant Warwick McKee of the Wellington CIB says it was stolen sometime between 1999 and 2000.
"This historic statue was specifically made for the Futuna Chapel by noted sculptor Jim Allen and holds significant importance to the Friends of Futuna Charitable Trust, the Catholic community and the Wellington community as a whole," says Mr McKee.
Police say the congregation of the Futuna Chapel are delighted at the statue’s return, and that investigations are continuing into its theft.
3 News