Ngāi Tahu Confront 'Whack-a-Mole' Battle Against Persistent Pounamu Theft

Legal owners Ngāi Tahu are stepping up efforts to protect sacred pounamu as police recover 1000kg of stolen stone and secure a landmark export conviction.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 10:12 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Landmark Prosecution Sets Global Precedent

The battle to protect the precious stone reached a significant legal milestone this month with the first successful prosecution for the illegal export of pounamu. A mother and son were found guilty after attempting to smuggle an unauthorized quantity of the stone to China. Kara Edwards, Chief Executive Officer of Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio, noted that while the iwi was not directly involved in the prosecution, the verdict serves as a critical deterrent. The case signals to international syndicates that the unauthorized removal of pounamu—once considered a low-risk endeavor—now carries serious legal consequences and the high probability of prosecution.

The Digital Frontier of Illicit Trade

The legitimate pounamu market is facing increasing pressure from unverified listings on global digital platforms. Sites such as Trade Me, Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, and eBay have become hubs for the sale of raw stone and unauthenticated carvings. Ngāi Tahu officials point out that these online marketplaces allow sellers to bypass the strict permitting process required by the iwi. Because the digital trade is decentralized, monitoring and enforcement have become an "ever-vigilant" task for pounamu protection officers, who must constantly track new listings to identify illegally sourced materials.

Decades of Black Market Infrastructure

The issue of illegal extraction is not a new phenomenon; expert carvers and permit holders suggest the black market has existed for as long as the stone has been commercially mined. Historically, even licensed miners in the 1980s were known to extract greenstone beyond their permitted allocations. Today, self-employed carvers report daily interactions with illegal collectors, many of whom are non-whānau members entering restricted areas. This long-standing infrastructure of theft has necessitated a shift in strategy, moving from simple enforcement to a combination of policing and community-led re-education.