Man charged after taking mere pounamu from church museum

A 45-year-old man has been charged with burglary after taking a mere pounamu from a Latter-day Saints church museum.

A man visiting the church's Pacific History Centre in Hamilton allegedly stepped across a barrier on the premises and swiped the mere from where it was being displayed on a wall.

Police said the mere was reported missing over the weekend of 4 July.

Using CCTV, Waikato Police's Tactical Crime Unit identified a vehicle, which led to a property in Tokoroa.

A search warrant was executed at the property where the mere was located.

Police returned the mere to the museum's director, Matthew Cowley, on Tuesday.

"We were quite shocked to find one of our treasures was taken. It's an extremely valuable piece," he said in a police press release.

"We are very thankful to police for their assistance in returning it and putting it back into its rightful place."

The man charged with burglary was due to appear in Tokoroa District Court.

Another man was also facing a receiving charge in relation to the incident.