Is it legal to sell Moa Bone
I, probably like many of you reading this, thought that the sale of Moa bone was illegal. It was not until I was offered some that I decided to find out exactly what the law is around this material.
When I did a google search the first document I found was a discussion paper authored by The Department of Conservation.
According to the Department of Conservation it’s legal to sell Moa bone artefacts unless they are taken from Department of Conservation land or a registered archaeological site. Following is an extract from the discussion paper.
“ Moa bones and other remains of extinct species can be found naturally deposited in swamps and other situations on private land. Such remains are not protected and gathering them is lawful, with landowner consent”.
The Moa bone I use is from a swamp on private property and I am more than happy to provide the provenance to any approved authority if requested.
My philosophy is that the bone in my position could remain in my work shop forgotten and gathering dust or it could be transformed into a piece of beautiful artwork whose user will be constantly reminded of the Moa and what happened to them. Obviously I have chosen the latter until the law is changed.
