Did Police buy back the guns they lost?

Stuff reports:

The Opposition has claimed guns stolen from a Palmerston North police station were bought back by police.
National MP and the party’s police spokesman Chris Bishop made the claim on Wednesday but offered no evidence.
Police would not confirm or deny the allegation, saying they would not discuss specific matters relating to the ongoing investigation.

During Question Time, Bishop asked Police Minister Stuart Nash if he stood by statements of police in relation to the theft of 11 guns from the Palmerston North police station and if police paid for the return for some or all the guns that were stolen.

Surely this can’t be true? You steal guns from a police station, and Police pay you to get them back?