Black market thriving for stolen pounamu, with slabs fetching thousands in China
New Zealand greenstone is being stolen and sold on international black markets, with raw slabs worth up to $25,000 in China.
A thriving black market exists for raw pounamu, with significant demand from overseas buyers. A 10-kilogram slab can command up to $25,000 in China, making theft of the culturally significant stone an attractive criminal prospect.
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Stealing greenstone ‘like p…ing on someone’s war medals’
There’s a thriving black market in raw pounamu, with a 10kg slab worth up to $25,000 in China.