The Conservation minister's making moves for the law to come down harder on tourists who commit crimes against native animals.
Kate Wilkinson's outraged at the 18 weeks' jail sentence handed down to two overseas visitors attempting to smuggle rare geckos out of the country.
It follows the earlier sentencing of another man on the same charges and last week's video footage of Norwegian tourists shooting a protected kereru.
Ms Wilkinson says the current penalties aren't harsh enough.
“My view is that they are visitors to our country, they are coming to our home and they should not be pinching our family silver,” she says.
Ms Wilkinson says she's waiting for advice about toughening up penalties and hopes for a decision within weeks.
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