Every day, approximately 48.5 tons of space rocks fall toward Earth. While most meteorites that land in the oceans are never recovered, those that land on solid ground often spark intense debates over their legal ownership.
The pursuit of meteorites has turned into a profitable business globally, with fragments of extraterrestrial rock being sold online and exported to various countries. Although these rocks can reveal secrets about the universe, more and more significant scientific discoveries are being lost to private collectors.
In 2023, New Zealand officially recorded a meteorite the size of an apple, weighing 810 grams, which fell on land managed by the Department of Conservation on the South Island near Takapō. The rock was recovered by Jack Weterings, a member of Fireballs Aotearoa — a group of citizen scientists who track meteorites — reigniting the debate over how such discoveries should be regulated.
Over the years, several meteorites have been recorded in New Zealand. One of the most famous is the Ellerslie meteorite, weighing 1.3 kg, which struck the roof of the Archer family’s house in Auckland on June 12, 2004. The object pierced the roof, hit the couch, and landed in the middle of the living room, drawing significant international attention and numerous purchase offers. However, the Archers, a retired couple, turned down the offers and chose to sell the piece to the Auckland War Memorial Museum for public display.
The Takapō meteorite spent much of 2024 being analyzed by geologists from the University of Otago, but the legal question surrounding its ownership remains unresolved, as it was found on public land.
Meteorite Ownership Regulations in New Zealand
Despite their interplanetary origin, meteorite ownership is governed by the laws of the country where they are found. Rules vary worldwide: some countries allow private ownership, while others require meteorites to be state property, without compensation to the finder.
In New Zealand — as in Canada, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom — ownership is determined by the location of the fall. If a meteorite lands on private property, the landowner becomes the legal owner of the space rock.
However, in cases of finds on public land, like the Takapō meteorite, the “finders keepers” rule applies, granting ownership to the discoverer. In this case, Fireballs Aotearoa, thanks to Jack Weterings, became the legitimate owner of the meteorite.
The organization states it has no commercial interest in meteorites and is committed to donating all found specimens to museums. However, not all meteorite hunters share this altruistic mindset.
The commercial search for meteorites is growing worldwide, particularly in China, where the market generates millions of dollars. Some of these space rocks can fetch exorbitant prices at auctions and online marketplaces.
Among the most notable collectors are businessman Elon Musk, director Steven Spielberg, actor Nicolas Cage, and illusionist Uri Geller, helping to glamorize the hobby even further. As global fascination with these fragments from space continues to rise, the interest in meteorites is likely to increase.
Meteorite Trade and Regulations
Several countries have implemented measures to regulate meteorite hunting within their borders. In New Zealand, the export of protected objects — including taonga tūturu (cultural property of importance to the Māori) — is strictly controlled.
The Protected Objects Act of 1975, which incorporates international conventions on the prevention of the illicit trafficking of cultural property, mandates that any export of meteorites must receive authorization from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. Two experts must be consulted before an export license is granted.
Penalties for illegal exportation are severe: confiscated meteorites are automatically deemed state property, and offenders can face up to five years in prison and fines of up to NZ$ 100,000 (around US$ 60,000) for individuals and NZ$ 200,000 (around US$ 120,000) for companies.
If an export request is denied, there is an option to appeal directly to the Minister of Culture. If the decision stands, the meteorite becomes part of the national heritage register.
Despite the current regulations, tensions between meteorite hunters and scientists are likely to grow. With the risk of scientific discoveries being diverted to private collections, should meteorite hunting be discouraged, except for scientific purposes? Only time will tell if a consensus can be reached.
