According to Māori legend, Poutini the taniwha (supernatural being) was a guardian of pounamu who swims up and down the west coast of the South Island. One day he travelled north to the Bay of Plenty and came across a beautiful woman named Waitaki and instantly fell in love. Although she was married to another man, a chief named Tamaahua, Poutini was so enchanted that he stole Waitaki away to the South Island. Tamaahua followed in pursuit to rescue his wife so, fearing that he would be caught, Poutini transformed Waitaki into his own image of pounamu and laid her in a riverbed so that he could keep her forever and evade capture. It is thought that all locations where pounamu is found today are where Poutini travelled during his flight with Waitaki, with the richest sources being her resting place around the Arahura River. When the chief discovered his wife turned to stone he let out an enormous tangi (cry of grief) which some say can still be heard echoing through the mountains to this day.
Pounamu is used to describe several types of (mostly) green-hued durable stone found in only a few locations in southern New Zealand. It is highly valued as a taonga (treasure) partly because of its rarity but mostly because it plays an important role in Māori culture.
In geological terms, pounamu is another term for nephrite and bowenite, types of jade gemstone formed millions of years ago beneath the volcanic rocks that make up Aotearoa.
Traditionally, pounamu has been seen as a sacred material, revered for its strength and beauty, as well as being used for the creation of tools, weapons, jewellery and talismans. Māori symbols carved into pounamu carry spiritual significance as well as links to ancestors and pakiwaitara (storytelling), while each type of stone has been given an identity connecting it to the world around us, named after native birds, plants and specific locations.
We loved our day of hunting for greenstone and making jewelry. It was also wonderful to share this gift with others.