#Taonga Smuggler Jailed After Undercover Sting Exposes Illegal Gecko (mōkō kākāriki)-Trade in NZ

A South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison after being caught in an undercover sting by Department of Conservation (DOC), the Ministry for Primary Industries and police – in an operation that has drawn attention to the international illegal wildlife trade.

The man, 23-year-old Gunak Lee, was found to have attempted to purchase 10 live jewelled gecko (mōkō kākāriki) – a species native to New Zealand and classified as “at risk – declining.”

Court documents show Lee travelled to Auckland on a short-stay visa. On the morning of departure, he met an undercover DOC officer in a hotel lobby, agreed to pay US US$15,000 (over NZ$26,000), and took possession of a bag apparently containing the geckos.

He paid an initial US$5,000, then returned to his room to inspect the rest – but as he confirmed there were more animals, authorities moved in and arrested him. Two geckos used in the sting were recovered unharmed, while the rest were not present.

A subsequent search of his room turned up another US$10,000, along with containers and concealment materials reportedly intended for smuggling the geckos overseas.

In Manukau District Court, Lee pleaded guilty to charges under the Wildlife Act and the Trade in Endangered Species Act. He was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment and the US$15,000 cash payment was forfeited to the Crown.

Prosecutors described the geckos as “taonga,” stressing trafficking of native species harms ecosystems, undermines conservation efforts, and violates the cultural values of tangata whenua.

DOC’s Wildlife Crime Team Leader, Dylan Swain, warned that jewelled geckos remain a target for international illegal reptile traders due to their rarity, distinctive patterning, and high market value overseas – sometimes fetching more than NZ$14,000 per animal.

Jewelled geckos are found only in isolated parts of South Island (Canterbury, Otago, Southland). Their small, fragmented populations make them especially vulnerable – even a few lost animals can have large ecological impacts.

Wildlife-crime is more than a “wildlife issue,” DOC says – it’s a crime with serious environmental, cultural, and legal consequences. The sting and the jail sentence are intended as a strong deterrent to would-be traffickers.

DOC is calling on the public to remain vigilant – if you see suspicious behaviour in bush or rural areas, or suspect someone is dealing in wildlife, report it immediately to 0800 DOC HOT (362 468).

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