A bishop's crozier has been returned to Maori, 100 years after it was gifted to the then Archbishop of Auckland.

The crozier - which looks like a shepherd's crook - was handed over in a ceremony last night.

It was discovered by accident in the bowels of Anglican Church offices.

Very little is known about it, including who carved it, and the Diocese is asking anyone who knows its history to come forward.

In 1914, the crozier was given to the then Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Bishop Averill.

It marked a hundred years since Samuel Marsden and other missionaries arrived in New Zealand.

The current bishop, Ross Bay, found it in a strong room ... it's now been handed over to the Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau.