Pounamu isn’t just a beautiful stone – it holds deep meaning for Māori and for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Pounamu is a taonga and a symbol of strength, connection and mana. It’s often gifted on special occasions, worn to remember loved ones, or passed down through generations. Pounamu can also act as a kaitiaki, providing protection to its wearer.
Before gifting or carving pounamu, people often say a karakia to show respect. It’s important to remember that pounamu comes from the land and has its own mauri.
Pounamu holds deep meaning for Māori and for Aotearoa New Zealand. Image: LEARNZ.
Ngāti Waewae, the guardians of the stone
The history of pounamu on Te Tai o Poutini, the West Coast of the South Island, is closely connected to the people of Ngāti Waewae, a hapū of Ngāi Tahu.
In the 1700s, a chief named Tūhuru led Ngāti Waewae during a time of great change and conflict. The pounamu found in places like Arahura and Māwhera (Grey District) was highly valued, and many groups wanted access to it. Tūhuru and his people fought for this special resource and eventually defeated the local iwi, Ngāti Wairangi.
Ngāti Waewae then settled along Te Tai o Poutini as one of the hapū of Poutini Ngāi Tahu. They built strong communities and protected the pounamu from other iwi who also wanted it. Today, the guardianship of pounamu continues under Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae, the tribal council based near Hokitika.
The wharenui Tūhuru at Arahura Marae: Ngāti Waewae. Image: LEARNZ.
Poutini and Waitaiki – a Ngāti Waewae oral history of pounamu
Poutini is a taniwha; his essence is pounamu and he lives in the sea. One day, he saw a beautiful woman, Waitaiki, bathing near an island called Tūhua. He fell for her, took her away, and brought her to Te Waipounamu, the South Island. But Waitaiki already had a husband – a powerful chief named Tamaahua.
Tamaahua chased Poutini and Waitaiki across the country, following the path shown by his tekateka, his magic dart. When they reached Te Tai o Poutini, the West Coast, Poutini knew he couldn't escape forever. So he turned Waitaiki into pounamu to keep her with him always, placing her gently in the waters of the Arahura river.
When Tamaahua found the lifeless form of Waitaiki, who had been turned to stone, he mourned her loss. Tamaahua named three maunga that surround Waitaiki, so she will always remember where she comes from.
Māori kupu | key words
iwi | tribe
taonga | treasure
hapū | sub-tribe
kaitiaki | guardians
mana | prestige or authority
karakia | prayer/blessing
mauri | life force
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