The man selling what he claims is the "most famous personalised plate in New Zealand" has admitted he bought the MAORI tag for a song off Trade Me.
The first time the licence plate was listed it attracted 120,310 views and countless racist comments, becoming the 17th most-viewed listing ever in Trade Me history, spokesman Paul Ford says.
It originally had a reserve price of $99,000, but did not sell.
Seller Bruce Haliday relisted the contentious plate nine days ago with an undisclosed reserve, and so far the auction has attracted six bids - the highest one at $42,400.
The 49-year-old Auckland-based seller says he bought the plate from a Trade Me listing himself, because he saw its value as a collectible.
"I got it really cheap," says Mr Haliday. "I don't mind if 95 percent of people think it's too expensive."
The auction, which has 396 watchers, closes at 7pm tonight.
Neither bidder or seller is obligated to follow through with the sale once the auction has closed unless the reserve price is met.
On re-listing the plate, Trade Me did not seek to control comments being posted, but recommended Mr Haliday only reply to questions related to the auction.
NZN