Parrot smuggler fined $20,000

A South African man was fined $20,000 today after he was caught trying to smuggle parrot eggs into New Zealand.

Pillipus Fourie pleaded guilty in Manukau District Court and was fined $10,000 for possession of unauthorised goods and $5000 for making a false declaration.

A further $5000 fine was imposed for trading in threatened species.

Fourie was caught by customs at Auckland International Airport, wearing a specially constructed vest under his clothes to conceal 44 eggs - which appeared to be from a variety of parrot species.

After the hearing NZ Customs spokesman Paul Campbell said officials were concerned because it was "obviously a professionally organised shipment".

"Wildlife smuggling is an abhorrent practice and New Zealand treats the illegal importation of wildlife very seriously," he said.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) investigations manager Greg Reid said uncontrolled importation of eggs posed an "immense" biosecurity risk which could "decimate" the country's commercial poultry industry and native parrot species through the spread of diseases - including avian influenza (bird flu).

Forty three eggs and one parrot which had hatched were euthanised.

"It is disappointing that the people involved in smuggling have little regard for the damage these animals can do to the environment and our native bird population. They may be rare and attractive birds but they pose a serious risk, which greatly outweighs any value they have as a pet," Mr Reid said.

MAF is leading an inquiry into the incident hoping to catch others involved.

Mr Reid said they were looking for the "New Zealand connection to ensure that we can close the loop in terms of those that may have been involved in the transaction.

"These things are generally smuggled to order. It's not as though someone brings these things in and then advertises," he said.

- NZPA