A historic pounamu chisel has been found in Kaikoura during an archeological assessment.
Ministry for Culture and Heritage senior advisor for protected objects, Ailsa Cain, said it was the first archeological find in Kaikoura this year.
She said there were usually one or two finds every year.
The location of the taonga could not be disclosed as the ministry needed to prevent fossicking, which was illegal under the Historic Places Act. The exact date of the taonga was difficult to determine, she said.
After such an object is found the chief executive of the Ministry of Culture publishes a notice calling for claims of ownership to be lodged with the ministry within 60 working days.
Once claims have been received and any competing claims resolved, the ministry can apply to the registrar of the Maori Land Court for an order confirming ownership.
If several claims are lodged and cannot be resolved, it may go to the Maori Land Court which will require a court hearing.
If no claims for ownership are lodged within 60 working days custody can be granted, which means ownership lies with the crown.
So far the ministry did not know how many, if any, claims were lodged.
Kaikoura Star Wednesday, 16 May 2007
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