On the field trip, we meet carvers from Waewae Pounamu and visit their workshop to see them at work.
Who they are
Waewae Pounamu is a small business based in Te Tai o Poutini, the West Coast of Te Waipounamu. It is proudly owned by Ngāti Waewae.
They specialise in sourcing, carving, and selling pounamu. Their pieces include both traditional and modern designs, all created by skilled local artists.
Waewae Pounamu also:
- supplies taonga pounamu to businesses and universities
- wholesales to Ngāi Tahu Pounamu, who distribute their taonga to more than 70 stores across Aotearoa.
Waewae Pounamu is proudly owned by Ngāti Waewae. Their pieces include both traditional and modern designs, all created by skilled local artists. Image: LEARNZ.
What makes them special
Waewae Pounamu is known for producing authentic, locally carved pounamu. Their goal is to protect the cultural meaning of pounamu while sharing it with others in a respectful way.
They are part of the Ngāi Tahu Pounamu authentication system, which guarantees that:
- the pounamu has been collected legally and ethically
- the pounamu has been treated with the appropriate cultural care
- the carving has been done responsibly.
Each piece of pounamu from Waewae Pounamu comes with a unique traceability code. When entered online, this code shows where the stone came from, how it was processed, and who carved it. This helps people learn the whakapapa of their taonga.
Waewae Pounamu is known for producing authentic, locally carved pounamu. Image: LEARNZ.
Kaitiaki of the stone
In 1997, the New Zealand Government officially returned the rights to all South Island pounamu to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the tribal council representing the iwi. This legally recognised Ngāi Tahu as the kaitiaki of pounamu in Aotearoa.
To make sure pounamu is protected for the future, Ngāi Tahu created a system to authenticate and trace the stone – similar to what is used in industries like diamonds, wool, and organic foods.
Waewae Pounamu proudly supports this system. Their commitment to tikanga helps protect pounamu as a taonga – not just for now, but for the generations to come.
Go to Ngāi Tahu Pounamu – Trace my pounamu to learn more.
Each piece of pounamu from Waewae Pounamu comes with a unique traceability code, which shows where the stone came from, how it was processed, and who carved it. Image: LEARNZ.
Māori kupu | key words
whakapapa | genealogy and story
tikanga | cultural practice
Te Waipounamu | the South Island
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