Maori Culture Maori Culture » greenstone

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...

So, the wearing of greenstone is not restricted to Maori. What is more important is for the wearer to recognise the mana that pounamu holds, and that it is supposed to be handed down through the generations.  Wear it with care and pride.

So, the wearing of greenstone is not restricted to Maori. What is more important is for the wearer to recognise the mana that pounamu holds, and that it is supposed to be handed down through the generations.  Wear it with care and pride.

The designs used in Maori artwork on sale here at ShopNZ.com ( necklaces, pendants, wood carvings, tattoo, etc) all carry a spiritual meaning.  Early Maori did not have a written history, so their arts and crafts took on the role of being a record of spiritual values and beliefs, as well as a historical family record. Bone and greenstone jade ( pounamu) pendants and...

The designs used in Maori artwork on sale here at ShopNZ.com ( necklaces, pendants, wood carvings, tattoo, etc) all carry a spiritual meaning.  Early Maori did not have a written history, so their arts and crafts took on the role of being a record of spiritual values and beliefs, as well as a historical family record. Bone and greenstone jade ( pounamu) pendants and...