Pounamu - Superior strength

Pounamu is a remarkably tough material. Its great strength comes from the mineral tremolite. In nephrite rock, this mineral has a tightly interwoven crystal structure.

Pounamu’s ability to hold a sharp edge means that it can be shaped into superior cutting tools. Early pounamu tools included toki (adzes) and whao (chisels). After European contact, Maori adopted metal tools. However, pounamu blades continue to be as efficient as those made of metal.

A handful of New Zealand artisans are reviving the ancient practice of making and using pounamu tools. Mastering these skills requires considerable time and determination. As more people develop this knowledge, the admiration for early Maori stone workers grows.

Kei runga rawa te kaha

Kei runga rawa te maro o te pounamu. I takea mai tona pai i te manawa whenua e kiia nei he tremolite. Ina kitea i roto i te toka nephrite, he tioata riraparapa te hanga o tenei manawa whenua, te tremolite. 

Na te pai o te pounamu ka mau tonu tona mata koi, na reira ka hangaia hei taputapu tapahi tino hira. Ko etahi o nga taputapu pounamu tuatahi he toki, he whao. No te taenga mai o te iwi Pakeha ka huri te iwi Maori ki nga taputapu maitai. Ahakoa tera, he rite tonu te totika o te ngau o nga mata pounamu, ki nga taputapu maitai.

Tera etahi kairahurahu taonga torutoru i Aotearoa kei te whakahoki mai i nga mahi tuku iho, o te kauoro me te whakamahi i nga taputapu pounamu. He mahi nui te whaiwhai haere i nga tapuwae o nga tohunga oro pounamu o mua, ma te manawa-nui anake ka taea. Kei te whanui haere tenei mohiotanga i waenga i te iwi, otira kei te piki haere te miharo i enei ra ki nga kaihanga taputapu kohatu o nehe.

Whao pounamu (nephrite chisel)  2002	Pounamu - Superior tools Pounamu is incredibly strong and tough. It can be worked to a finer cutting edge than other types of stone, and the blades remain sharper for longer. For these reasons, Maori used it to make highly effective tools. more>
Whao pounamu (nephrite chisel)  1500-1820	He toki iti, he rite he tangata - A small adze is as useful as a person The toki (adze) was a tool of great value to Maori – and pounamu toki were the most prized of all. Using tools like this, Maori developed an advanced carving tradition. more>
Kani (stone rasp)  1500-1850	Shaping pounamu Pounamu was often found as boulders or large slabs, which Maori sawed into workable-sized pieces. Stone tools, like the ones on display, were used to saw, rasp, and grind the pounamu into shape. more>