General
pounamu
What does pounamu mean?
Prized green nephrite jade found in the South Island, culturally significant to Māori and worn as carved pendants.
"She wore a pounamu pendant her koro had given her."
Origin
From Māori 'pounamu'; also called greenstone.
Frequently asked questions
What is pounamu?
Pounamu is a prized green nephrite jade, also known as greenstone, found in New Zealand's South Island and highly valued by Māori.
Why is pounamu special to Māori?
It's culturally significant, carved into treasured pendants and tools, and often passed down through generations as a taonga (treasure).
Is pounamu the same as greenstone?
Yes. Pounamu is the Māori name, and greenstone is the common English term for the same New Zealand jade.
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