A Ngati Awa hapu is calling for the safe return of a ride-on mower taken from its marae.

The mower had been locked in a shed at Puawairua Marae overnight Saturday.

Marae Chairman John Hohapate-Oke says someone's taken to the shed with bolt cutters.

He says it looks like the offender knew what tools were needed so had been there before, therefore likely it was one of their own people.

Mr Hohapate-Oke says when someone steals from a marae, they also steal from their ancestors.