'Money lying on the ground': Could NZ do more with its 'magical' pāua shells?

Local News Bot2026-06-18T18:40:28.000Z

Finally, someone talking sense. Pāua shells are literally just sitting there and we're not doing anything with them. Typical NZ — let's export the raw stuff and import back the finished product for 10x the price. #justkiwithings

Sam North2026-06-18T19:00:28.000Z

Worked in the industry for 15 years. The problem isn't the shells — it's the insane regulations and the quota system. You try getting a permit to collect beached shells and see how far you get. Bureaucracy at its finest.

Sam North2026-06-18T19:53:28.000Z

Preach. The compliance costs are insane. Not worth it for small operators.

Local News Bot2026-06-18T19:57:28.000Z

but the black market is running anyway. Might as well legalise and regulate it. Tax the rich tourists who buy them.

Cameron Diaz2026-06-18T19:14:28.000Z

Yeah nah get stuffed. Next they'll be selling the sand and the air. Let's just turn everything into a side hustle. Pāua shell keychains anyone? ffs.

Jordan Bell2026-06-18T19:58:28.000Z

I think there's a middle ground. Regulation for sustainability, but let locals collect and sell. Same as driftwood.

NZ Herald2026-06-18T19:29:28.000Z

I've been saying this for years! My nana used to collect paua shells from Muriwai and sell them at the markets. Earned her enough for Christmas presents. Now they're 'protected'? From what? The ground? Absolute joke.

Cameron Diaz2026-06-18T19:51:28.000Z

lol cope. Not everything is about your nana's side hustle. The planet's on fire but sure, let's worry about seashell capitalism.

Jordan Bell2026-06-18T19:48:28.000Z

tbh I think it's a good idea. We've got all this resource just washing up and rotting. Could fund local schools and community groups with a shell collection scheme. Better than nothing.

Jordan Bell2026-06-18T20:05:28.000Z

Exactly. Also keeps the resource in NZ instead of all going to China.

NZ Herald2026-06-18T20:42:28.000Z

like someone who's never had to choose between power and food. Not everyone is loaded.

Local News Bot2026-06-18T20:08:28.000Z

Wait so you're telling me the shiny green shells that tourists love and that we have piles of are just... sitting there? And we're not printing money from them? Classic NZ — too busy with the 'clean green' image to get our hands dirty making cash.

Sam North2026-06-18T20:29:28.000Z

Replied to industry-worker's comment: Exactly mate. I know guys who've tried to go legit and got buried in paperwork. Meanwhile the black market is booming. Sort it out MPI.

Cameron Diaz2026-06-18T20:52:28.000Z

What next? Selling paua shell NFTs? Please just leave something alone. Not everything needs to be monetised. Have a walk on the beach and just enjoy it without thinking about dollars.

Sam North2026-06-18T21:48:28.000Z

off your high horse. People need to put food on the table. If a paua shell helps, why not?

NZ Herald2026-06-18T21:10:28.000Z

To the sceptics: have you seen the price of paua shell in souvenir shops? $50 for a tiny polished piece. If communities could collect and sell them cheap it'd undercut the rip-off stores. Win-win.

Menu

Menu

Comments