Pounamu (greenstone) is hugely significant in Maori culture, particularly to the Ngai Tahu iwi (tribe) who are the kaitiaki (guardians) of the stone. Found only in the South Island of New Zealand, pounamu is considered a taonga (treasure) that carries great mana (spiritual power), and is intrinsically part of the Ngai Tahu cultural identity. Ngai Tahu traded greenstone and used it as a...
Pounamu (greenstone) is hugely significant in Maori culture, particularly to the Ngai Tahu iwi (tribe) who are the kaitiaki (guardians) of the stone. Found only in the South Island of New Zealand, pounamu is considered a taonga (treasure) that carries great mana (spiritual power), and is intrinsically part of the Ngai Tahu cultural identity. Ngai Tahu traded greenstone and used it as a...