'Maori' personalised number plate formerly owned by Kim Dotcom for sale on Trade Me

The number plate was owned by Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom before Kiwi Bruce Haliday purchased it in 2011. Photo / Trade Me

The personalised number plate MAORI is for sale on Trade Me, with a starting price of $49,000.

The plates have a touch of historical significance, having originally been owned by multi-millionaire property developer David Blackmore.

Blackmore had purchased the plates when personalised plates were first released in 1987.

It was later transferred to Kim Dotcom in 2010 as part of a transaction over a $1.5 million loan.

Mr Dotcom, who also received the plates GUILTY, MAFIA, POLICE, STONED, GOOD and EVIL, sold the MAORI plate to Bruce Haliday in early 2011 through Trade Me.

The auction is dubbed a "rare opportunity to buy a unique plate".

"The asking price for the plates reflects its uniqueness, its history and its relevance to this country & its people," it reads.

Haliday, an artist and online knick-knack trader, had first listed the plate late in 2011, when the reserve price stood at a whopping $99,000.

The asking price for the plates had been slashed for the current auction with no reserve price set and a starting bid of $49,000.

There were currently no bids on the auction, which was due to finish at 1pm on Sunday.