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Media; [External]; MA_I.157565; Big Bay. Photograph by Andris Apse, reproduced courtesy of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu; Apse, Andris	Media; [External]; MA_I.157566; Cascade River. Photograph by Andris Apse, reproduced courtesy of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu; Apse, Andris	Media; [External]; MA_I.157567; Hokitika River. Photograph by Andris Apse, reproduced courtesy of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu; Apse, Andris

Media; [External]; MA_I.157568; Pakiroa (Barrytown) coast. Photograph by Andris Apse, reproduced courtesy of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu; Apse, Andris	Media; [External]; MA_I.157569; Taramakau River. Photograph by Andris Apse, reproduced courtesy of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu; Apse, Andris

Pounamu whakapapa (genealogy)

All things within the Maori world view derive their existence and unique place in the world through whakapapa (genealogy). Whakapapa connects people to one another, and also to the natural world in which they live.

In 1849, Matiaha Tiramorehu (Ngai Tahu tribe) recorded the whakapapa of Te Pounemu (pounamu). He traced its descent from the atua (gods), showing it to be a child of Takaroa (Tangaroa, god of the sea). The mother of Te Pounemu is said to be either Te Anuwai or Te Anumatao, depending on the source of the whakapapa.