A man has been arrested after police raided a property in Dunedin and found 820 kilograms of allegedly stolen pounamu.
Police executed a search warrant on Monday and seized 820kg of allegedly stolen pounamu samples that had been cut and were for sale.
A 29-year-old man was arrested for obstruction and appeared in the Dunedin District Court. He was released on bail. Further charges regarding the stolen mineral were being considered.
Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio chairman Paul Madgwick said Ngāi Tahu first filed a complaint with the police after the sale and supply of pounamu, both online and within the community, came to its attention.
“This complaint was made due to the person brazenly parading our stolen pounamu as if they have a right to help themselves to it – they don’t,” Madgwick said.
He said all pounamu was easily identifiable and could be traced back to particular catchments.
Pounamu is found only in parts of Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island), with the vast majority on the West Coast, mainly in the Arahura and Haast districts.
Some of the stone had been hacked and quarried from these remote catchments, and was illegally sold to carvers across New Zealand.
All pounamu in the region is the property of Ngāi Tahu by virtue of the Pounamu (Ngāi Tahu) Vesting Act 1997.
West Coast beaches are the only places in New Zealand where the public fossicking for pounamu is allowed, and even then, the size allowed to be taken is only what can be carried in one hand.
Ngāi Tahu whānau members are the only ones who can fossick in rivers, but they need a collection permit granted by the kaitiaki rūnanga (guardian).
Madgwick said carvers who have now found themselves in possession of the stolen pounamu should question the stones’ origin.
“The rule is simple: if it is not authenticated by Ngāi Tahu Pounamu, it may be stolen.”
“Anyone who is unsure of the rules around pounamu gathering, or has pounamu in their possession and is unclear about ownership, whether they’re the general public or have Ngāi Tahu whakapapa, is urged to reach out to the local Rūnanga or Ngāi Tahu Pounamu to understand what is permissible.”
Detective Sergeant Jesse Thomson said police took “pride” in working with local hapū, and said police treat the theft of pounamu with “the same value and mindset that would be taken with other stolen property”.
“This seizure of Pounamu is a great result by our team who acted quickly to prevent the on supply of the stolen pounamu.
“We want to send a clear message that police will not tolerate this type of offending and will hold anyone who engages in this behaviour to account.”
Anyone witnessing the illegal procurement of pounamu was asked to call 111 if it is happening immediately, or 105 if it is after the fact.
