A Kaitaia man has been jailed for a year after illegally gathering $12,000 worth of paua and selling them in Northland and Auckland.
Beached empty paua shell. Photo: 123rf
Rini Wikitera, 42, who has previous convictions for paua poaching, was handed his sentence in the Auckland District Court.
Ministry for Primary Industries said the sentence sent a clear message that taking and selling paua on the black market was a serious offence.