to US president
The origins of a swamp kauri bowl gifted to the US President are causing controversy in Te Tai Tokerau - with one environmentalist calling the present an "appalling" mistake.
Mana whenua are also frustrated they were kept out of the loop.
The Prime Minister gave the bowl to Joe Biden on her recent visit to Washington.
Her office has confirmed the wood came from businessman Nelson Parker.
But the chair of the Northland Environmental Protection Society Fiona Furrell told RNZ that was a "faux pas".
A Ministry for Primary Industries report provided to RNZ shows Parker was investigated in 2019.
It found he likely contravened the Forests Act, exporting swamp kauri to China and calling it artwork. Products must be manufactured not just raw wood.
Link to article: Environmentalists, mana whenua criticise PM's 'appalling' gift to US president (msn.com)
