An Australian gold prospector has had his 'lucky' snake fang charms seized at the border.
Ministry for Primary Industries team manager Tony Owen said the passenger told biosecurity officials at Wellington airport that he usually attached the charms, including snake fangs from Thailand and horse hair, to his metal detector when he searched for gold.
MPI officials told the man that he had the option of either having the charms destroyed, or held until his departure,
He chose the latter and collected them on his way home five days later, Mr Owen said.
"There was no way we were going to allow the passenger to keep the animal parts with him during his stay in New Zealand, as they could have been carrying pests or diseases," he said.
