Overview
Pounamu possesses a superb combination of qualities – extraordinary strength, durability, and beauty. It is also a pleasure to touch and has acoustic characteristics.
Māori recognised the value and versatility of pounamu upon first arriving here. Superior pounamu tools allowed the art of wood carving to flourish. Fine pounamu weapons were revered as symbols of chiefly status. Beautiful pounamu adornments enhanced the mana (prestige) of the wearer. Pounamu taonga (treasures) were passed down generations, gaining mana with age.
Pounamu continues to be used in various ways today. It is highly valued as a symbol of national identity – by all New Zealanders.
He kōhatu ahurei
Kātahi te kōhatu whakamīharo ko te pounamu. He taonga kaingākau nā te iwi – inā hoki tōna kaha, tōna mārō me tōna ātaahua. He tino māeneene ki te mirimiri atu, ā, he tatangi anō ina paoa atu.
Nō te taenga mai o te iwi Māori ki Aotearoa ka kitea te pai o te pounamu, he tino kōhatu whai tikanga. Nā ngā whao pounamu tōtika i tino piki ai ngā mahi whakairo ki runga rawa. He taonga nui ngā mere pounamu ki te iwi, hei tohu rangatira. Mā te mau i ngā whakakai me ngā tiki pounamu ka piki te mana o te tangata nōna aua taonga. Ka tukua haeretia ngā taonga pounamu i roto i ngā whakatupuranga, nā te takenga mai i ngā rā o tuawhakaere, ka piki haere anō te mana.
Arā anō ngā āhuatanga whakamahi i te pounamu i ēnei ra. He taonga e mōhiotia ana hei tohu mō te tuakiri o te motu – ki ngā tāngata katoa o Aotearoa.