The New Zealand auction website Trade Me has decided to impose tight restrictions on all new products made from the tropical Papuan hardwood kwila.
The move is a response to ongoing pressure on New Zealand retailers by the Indonesia Human Rights Committee not to sell products made of illegally sourced timber.
While the committee says it welcomes the decision, it believes the ultimate goal is a total ban on kwila imports to help protect rainforests from further destruction.
However, it says Trade Me's initiative to exclude all kwila products bar those certified as being legally sourced by one of two indepenent authorities is an important step.
