Moa bones off site in push to ban sales

CAMPAIGNER: Whanganui Regional Museum natural history curator Mike Dickison has met with Trade Me representatives to discuss the moa bone trade. PHOTO/ STUART MUNRO A-110914WCSMMOA1

A Hawera moa bone trader has had his listings removed by Trade Me but the future of such listings remains up in the air.

Whanganui Regional Museum natural history curator Mike Dickison, Heritage New Zealand, and Te Papa curators met Trade Me representatives last week to discuss concerns around the moa bone trade. The meeting followed a recent round of listings from the Hawera trader which appeared this month and sparked renewed calls to ban moa bone sales.

Trade Me agreed to pull the Hawera listings while it was determined how and where the bones were collected.

The Hawera seller had previously said bones were found at Kaupokonui Beach in South Taranaki which Dr Dickison said was an archaeological site.

The curators asked Trade Me to ban such listings and believed the moa trade could almost be wiped out if it was to do so.

Dr Dickison said there was disagreement between the two parties about the size of the moa trade and what public opinion on the issue was.

He wanted a survey of public opinion and felt everyone he had spoken to shared his concerns.

The group are now awaiting a response from Trade Me following the meeting but Dr Dickison said he had the impression sale of moa bones would not be banned - for now at least.

"I feel we have offered Trade Me an opportunity to take a stand themselves," he said.

But there was some progress.

"We're pleased they took it seriously and they've committed staff and time to meet with us. They seem to be much more willing to work with us ... our next step is to make sure the public are fully aware of the trade and what's involved."

While it is not illegal to possess or sell moa bones there are concerns about how the bones were originally obtained.

Heritage New Zealand said a clear process had to be followed if potential archaeological artefacts were unearthed.

Senior archaeologist Pam Bain said it was important items found were left where they were and reported to HNZ. An artefact lost its context once removed from its site and there was the potential other artefacts nearby could also be damaged.

"With this activity comes a risk and people need to be aware that they could potentially be breaking the law, especially if they start digging," she said.

"Any discovery can enhance our understanding of our history and that's why it's crucial that any removing and identifying of our heritage is carried out by experts so significant information isn't lost or destroyed.

"So much can be learned from an archaeological site if kept in its entirety. The Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 defines an archaeological site as a place associated with pre-1900 activity where there may be evidence relating to New Zealand's history.