By Lloyd Burr
A rare part of New Zealand’s history is up for grabs and has reached more than a million dollars, and climbing, in a Trade Me auction today.
A vial claiming to be filled with an 1886, pre-eruption sample of the famous pink and white terraces is being sold by a Stratford seller who goes by the name of John.
John says it was passed on to him when his grandmother, who was more than 100 years old, died.
“It is a very rare sample of one of the most famous natural wonders of the world.”
The highest bid is currently $1.16 million but the auction has still not reached the reserve price.
John says that if the auction reaches the reserve price, he will donate $100,000 for future research of the pink and white terraces.
Trade Me spokesperson Paul Ford, who could not release the reserve price, said they were confident the auction was not a joke.
“We are not geological experts but we believe the auction and the product is legitimate. It’s up there with one of the highest-priced auctions we have ever had.
“Trade Me bidders should only bid on the product if they believe it. It’s essentially buyer beware – they bid at their discretion.”
Mr Ford said potential buyers spending in excess of a million dollars would be mad not to contact the seller and ask questions.
As rare and famous as this sample is, it is legal for someone to sell it.
Liz Cotton from the Ministry of Heritage and Culture says a genuine sample of the pink and white terraces is perfectly legal to sell.
“There are no restrictions to sell this within New Zealand. Protected heritage objects can be sold and purchased provided the object stays within the country.
“The item on Trade Me cannot be sold to someone living overseas or to someone in New Zealand who then takes the object overseas.”
The auction closes tomorrow at 12:47pm.
Link: Pink and White Terraces TradeMe Auction
Listen to Marcus Lush speak to Paul Ford from Trade Me this morning.
3 News