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Pounamu is a hard, highly valued stone mainly found as boulders. It is also called greenstone or New Zealand jade. It is treasured by Māori because: it is strong and beautiful; it is a sign of status or power; it is believed to be sacred. Where is it found? It is only found in the South Island, so it is very important to the tribe there, Ngāi ...
Feb 9, 2022 · Pounamu is used to describe several types of (mostly) green-hued durable stone found in only a few locations in southern New Zealand. It is highly valued as a taonga (treasure) partly because of its rarity but mostly because it plays an important role in Māori culture. In geological terms, pounamu is another term for nephrite and bowenite ...
Pounamu plays a very important role in Māori culture and is a taonga (treasure). It is and has been an important part of trade between the South Island iwi (tribe) Ngāi Tahu and other iwi. Adze blades made from pounamu were desired for carving of wood, and even with the arrival of metal tools pounamu tools were used.
Apr 12, 2024 · Pounamu, or perhaps more commonly known as jade or greenstone, is a precious and rare stone found only in Te Waipounamu (the South Island of Aotearoa, directly translated to “the greenstone waters”). The particular green hue might be recognisable for some, but few outside of Aotearoa know the story and significance of pounamu.
May 16, 2023 · A very durable material, greenstone can be carved into a variety of objects, from weapons and tools to ornamental jewelry. And in multiple cultures, it’s believed to have healing powers. The greenstone found in New Zealand, pounamu, comes specifically from the west coast of the South Island, the land of the Ngāi Tahu iwi (community). In 1997 ...
Jun 19, 2020 · ‘Pounamu’ is the Maori name for Greenstone. It is the God stone of our Maori people, along with Serpentine and other closely related stones of the Amphibole group of minerals. It is hugely significant for Maori, for it was often used as a seal for transfers of title, the Greenstone ‘taonga’ or treasure taking the place of a document as proof and sale of land.
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The legend of Pounamu. According to the people of Ngāi Tahu (a South Island tribe), Poutini was a Taniwha (giant water being) who swam up and down the seas of the West Coast, protecting both the people and the mauri (life force) of P ounamu. One day while resting in the warm waters off Tuhua (Mayor Island), he saw a beautiful woman bathing in ...
