Two West Coast Ngāi Tahu hapū say today’s sentencing shows people trying to take pounamu out of the country illegally will be caught.
Boyuan Zhang and his mother Xin Li were fined a combined $5000 in the Manukau District Court today for attempting to export 17.9 kilograms of pounamu in July 2024. It’s unlawful to export five kilograms or more of raw or partially processed pounamu without permission.
Poutini Ngāi Tahu Rūnanga Co-Chairs Francois Tumahai (Ngāti Waewae) and Paul Madgwick (Ngāti Māhaki) say the sentencing sends the right message.
“If you break the law and exploit our taonga, you will be caught and prosecuted,” says Francois Tumahai.
“We’re very grateful for the support of NZ Customs to secure this outcome. Their kaimahi are on the frontline guarding the border and protecting pounamu from being taken offshore.
“We’ll soon be meeting with Ministers to look at tightening the rules and reducing export limits following earlier discussions with MBIE.”
Pounamu has been a taonga for South Island iwi Ngāi Tahu and their tīpuna for hundreds of years. Thirty years ago this month, the Crown promised to recognise Ngāi Tahu ownership of pounamu, leading to the Ngāi Tahu (Pounamu Vesting) Act 1997.
But decades later, theft is still occurring. In April, more than one tonne of stolen pounamu was seized by Police on the West Coast. Late last year, 820kg was also recovered in Dunedin.
“The game is now up,” says Paul Madgwick. “For too long, people have been getting away with taking pounamu out of the country or from the whenua and awa illegally. But these recent cases show those stealing the stone will be caught.”
“Almost twenty years ago people went to jail for stealing Tahutahi. This precious stone fuelled the black market and was sold across the country without the permission of its kaitiaki.
“It’s buyer beware. Some retailers sell imported jade carved into Māori designs alongside pounamu, including pieces made overseas.”
The Ngāi Tahu Pounamu authentication scheme ensures buyers can trace the whakapapa of the stone. Entering a code online shows where it is from and who carved it.
“Ask for the code next time you’re buying a taonga. It’s the only way to know it’s been sold or carved with the permission of the kaitiaki,” explains Paul.
“These are simple checks that help people avoid unlawfully sourced stone and support authentic carving.
“No one wants to buy stolen pounamu.”