Stolen pounamu pieces returned to West Coast hapū

Thursday 5 June 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Thu 5 Jun 2025, 5:51pm

In this story NZ Police, Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio

Police have recovered 365 stolen pounamu pieces and boulders from a remote West Coast river. The items were tracked to fossickers and will be returned to the local hapū. Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio described the recovery as a win against the greenstone black market.

How they headlined it

5:42pm

1. RNZThu 5 Jun 2025, 5:42pm

   Police return hundreds of stolen pounamu pieces to local hapū in West Coast (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesThu 5 Jun 2025, 5:51pm

   Hundreds of stolen pounamu pieces returned (opens in new tab)