A group of local and international dignitaries has written to Prime Minister John Key urging more action to stem the illegal ivory sales.
Signatories include philanthropists Gareth Morgan and Sir Stephen Tindall, as well as Rachel Hunter in her role as patron of the Born Free Foundation.
Local and international identities have written to John Key urging action on the illegal ivory trade. Photo: AFP
Other signatories include the executive director of SPCA Auckland, Bob Kerridge, and internationally renowned conservationists, Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton and Dr Jane Goodall.
The letter asks Mr Key to impose a complete ban on ivory trading and to crush the pieces of ivory the Crown has confiscated.
It also seeks more action by Customs to stop illegal ivory imports.
Campaigners say that since 1989, more than 700 pieces of illegal ivory have been confiscated in this country.
Last year an Auckland man became the first New Zealander to be convicted of illegally importing ivory, with another prosecution pending related to the seizure of 31 pieces of ivory in May this year.
