The tourist who was caught damaging one of the great statues of Rapa Nui has been fined thousands of dollars.

As reported by Radio New Zealand International, the tourist, from Finland, 'who chipped an ear off one of Easter Island's world-famous statues has been fined nearly 17,000 US dollars and told to stay away for three years'.

According to the report, 'Easter Island prosecutors say Marko Kulju, 26, deposited the money into a bank account overseen by the court that handled his case' and he 'also wrote a public apology for damaging one of the statues, which are protected under Chilean law'.

Rapa Nui or Easter Island as it is also known is a world heritage site.