Poutini Ngāi Tahu has welcomed Trade Me’s decision to stop the sale of raw pounamu and aotea on its online marketplace, describing the move as an important step in protecting treasured Māori resources from illegal extraction and commercial exploitation.
Poutini Ngāi Tahu Rūnanga spokesperson Francois Tumahai says the decision is a positive development in the ongoing effort to protect taonga from unauthorised collection and sale.
The move follows longstanding concerns about raw pounamu being removed from rivers and other locations across Te Tai o Poutini, the West Coast, and subsequently offered for sale online.
For Poutini Ngāi Tahu, the issue extends well beyond the commercial value of the stone. It is about protecting whakapapa, cultural heritage and the responsibilities of mana whenua as kaitiaki.
Trade Me Takes Action Against Illegal Sales
Trade Me’s decision to prohibit raw pounamu sales represents a significant change in how the online marketplace handles culturally important natural resources.
The restrictions are intended to reduce opportunities for illegally sourced stone to be traded through the platform.
Pounamu is one of Aotearoa’s most recognisable taonga, valued for its beauty, durability and deep cultural significance.
Aotea, a distinctive and highly prized stone associated with the West Coast, also holds particular significance for Poutini Ngāi Tahu.
Both are connected to the identity, history and traditions of mana whenua.
Tumahai and Poutini Ngāi Tahu have been among those advocating for stronger protections against the unauthorised removal and sale of these resources.
Protecting Ngāi Tahu Rights and Responsibilities
The ownership and management of pounamu are recognised through the Ngāi Tahu (Pounamu Vesting) Act 1997, which vested ownership of natural-state pounamu within the Ngāi Tahu takiwā in Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, subject to specific arrangements.
The legislation recognises the longstanding relationship between Ngāi Tahu and pounamu, including the iwi’s responsibilities for its protection and management.
However, illegal collection and trading have remained ongoing concerns.
For mana whenua, the unauthorised extraction of pounamu and other culturally significant stone is not simply a question of ownership.
It can undermine tikanga, disrupt customary management practices and diminish the cultural values associated with these taonga.
The Trade Me decision is therefore being welcomed as recognition of the need for commercial platforms to respect iwi rights and responsibilities.
More Than a Commercial Commodity
Pounamu has been treasured for generations, fashioned into tools, ornaments, weapons and heirlooms carrying the histories of whānau and hapū.
Its cultural significance is closely connected to whakapapa, mana and the relationships between people and whenua.
Aotea is similarly valued for its distinctive characteristics and its association with the natural and cultural heritage of Te Tai o Poutini.
For Poutini Ngāi Tahu, protecting these resources means ensuring that their collection, use and distribution occur in ways that respect the authority and tikanga of mana whenua.
It also means ensuring that future generations inherit both the taonga themselves and the knowledge associated with them.
Will Other Online Platforms Follow?
While Trade Me’s decision is a significant step, concerns remain about the wider online trade in raw stone.
Social media marketplaces and other online platforms can provide alternative avenues for sellers, making it difficult to prevent unauthorised trading through restrictions on a single website.
The development raises questions about whether other major platforms should introduce similar safeguards.
It also highlights the importance of cooperation between iwi, online businesses and enforcement agencies in identifying and preventing illegal sales.
For legitimate pounamu carvers and Māori businesses, stronger controls can also help protect confidence in responsibly sourced materials and authentic taonga.
A Victory for Kaitiakitanga
The decision has broader significance for Māori communities seeking greater recognition of their rights and responsibilities over culturally important resources.
For Poutini Ngāi Tahu, it demonstrates that online businesses can respond to concerns raised by mana whenua and take practical steps to protect taonga.
It also reinforces the importance of public awareness about the origins of pounamu and aotea, particularly when purchasing raw stone or finished products.
The message from Poutini Ngāi Tahu is clear: pounamu and aotea are not simply commodities for unrestricted trade. They are taonga connected to whakapapa, identity and the enduring responsibilities of kaitiakitanga.
Trade Me’s decision is being welcomed as an important milestone, but the wider effort to prevent illegal extraction and trading continues.
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