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April 02, 2026
#crime: Historic Pounamu Smuggling Conviction Sends Strong Message on Taonga Protection
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On April 2, 2026
A landmark court decision has reinforced the protection of pounamu, with Poutini Ngāi Tahu Rūnanga welcoming the first successful prosecution under laws designed to prevent the illegal export of the treasured stone.
The Manukau District Court has found a mother and son guilty after they attempted to smuggle nearly 18 kilograms of pounamu out of Aotearoa in 2024. The pair were intercepted at Auckland International Airport, following an earlier incident involving another family member who had tried to export more than 60 kilograms of the stone.
The case marks the first conviction under the Customs Export Prohibition (Pounamu) Order 2021, which makes it illegal to export five kilograms or more of raw or partially processed pounamu without official approval.
Poutini Ngāi Tahu leaders say the outcome is a significant step in upholding the mana of pounamu, which is regarded as a sacred taonga rather than a commercial resource. For Ngāi Tahu, pounamu carries deep cultural meaning, linking whakapapa, identity and history across generations.
Ownership of pounamu was formally recognised in legislation in 1997, placing responsibility for its protection with Ngāi Tahu as kaitiaki. Despite this, illegal extraction and export remain ongoing concerns, with black-market activity continuing both online and in physical trade.
Recent enforcement efforts highlight the scale of the issue. Police seized more than 800 kilograms of stolen pounamu in Dunedin last year, while Customs intercepted and returned significant quantities at the border throughout 2024.
The latest case has also exposed potential gaps in the current law. Questions have been raised about whether individuals could attempt to bypass export limits by distributing smaller quantities across multiple people, staying below the five-kilogram threshold.
Ngāi Tahu representatives are now calling for tighter regulations, including lowering the allowable export threshold and strengthening oversight to prevent exploitation of loopholes.
There are also concerns about decision-making authority, with current rules requiring ministerial approval for pounamu exports. Ngāi Tahu leaders argue that decisions about whether pounamu can leave the country should sit with its rightful kaitiaki, rather than the Crown.
Work is already underway to address these issues, with discussions planned with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as part of a broader review of the pounamu export regime next year.
The ruling is being seen as a clear signal that the illegal trade of pounamu will not be tolerated, reinforcing the importance of protecting taonga for future generations.
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